Gum disease is also known as gingivitis and, in its more advanced stages, periodontitis or periodontal disease. Gum disease causes the gums to become inflamed and can also lead to bleeding – especially when brushing the teeth.
To maintain your oral health, you must first establish good routines when it comes to your dental hygiene.
At Rothwell Dental Care and Implant Centre, we strongly advocate for dental hygiene as the basis of good oral health. Consider your dental hygiene the front line of your overall oral health, with both at-home care routines and regular visits to the hygienist being the strongest weapons in your arsenal against enemies such as gum disease and tooth decay.
FAQs
What is gum disease?
How do you treat gum disease?
Treatment of gum disease varies according to how advanced it is. In most cases, when caught early on, we’ll be able to treat it through professional cleaning to remove the hardened plaque and tartar which have caused the infection. To prevent reoccurrence, we’ll also advise ways to prevent it at home through regular maintenance and frequent visits to the hygienist.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by the build-up of plaque and tartar in the mouth, which usually occurs due to poor oral health and hygiene. It can also be exacerbated by lifestyle factors such as smoking and consuming a high-sugar diet (including drinks).
How often should I visit the hygienist?
We recommend annual visits to all our patients, with some patients requiring more frequent appointments in order to properly maintain their oral health. If we are treating you for gum disease, we will recommend a course of frequent hygiene appointments in order to ensure your gum health is back on track.
What happens during a hygienist appointment?
Our highly trained and compassionate hygiene team will first start with a full examination and assessment of the mouth, including the teeth, gums, jaw, and neck area. They’ll then clean – we recommend Airflow Tooth Polishing for the most comfortable and effective experience.
Finally, they’ll offer any advice as needed, such as brushing your teeth, flossing, and possibly altering your diet. If gum disease is detected, your hygiene team and our skilled dental team will devise a treatment plan for you according to your specific needs.