How your dentist can help combat gum disease

Gum disease is a common problem that your dentist and hygienist can work with you to combat once and for all. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, as well as standard dental and hygiene treatment designed to prevent gum disease from arising, we also offer the services of a dedicated periodontist – a dentist who has undergone additional specialist training to specialise in the treatment of gum disease and other gum problems.

Why gum disease happens

hsdc-gum-diseaseThe main cause of gum disease is dental plaque, which builds up on the surfaces of the teeth. This plaque bacteria starts to irritate and attack the gums, leading in the first instance to gingivitis – the milder form of gum disease.

Even if you have a good home cleaning routine, there may be areas of your mouth that are difficult to reach with brushing and flossing alone. It is here that plaque bacteria can start to collect, and it is essential to visit your dentist and hygienist regularly to remove any plaque build-up.

From gingivitis to periodontitis

Many people will experience mild gum disease (gingivitis) at some point in life. Regular visits to your dentist help to catch the condition early, sometimes even before you have noticed any signs at home.

Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into the more serious form of gum disease, periodontitis. This requires specialist treatment in order to save your teeth. At our Harley Street clinic, our periodontal specialist Dr Pedja Pavlovic is highly experienced in treating even complex cases of periodontitis.

As well as working at Harley Street Dental Clinic, Dr Pavlovic lectures in Periodontology at the Royal London Hospital.

Gum disease symptoms

The best way to prevent gum disease is good dental hygiene. Some of the common symptoms of gingivitis include:

  • Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
  • Swollen gums (with or without pain)
  • Bad breath

If you spot any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your dentist immediately.

Why visiting the dentist regularly is essential

Visiting the dentist on a regular basis is key to maintaining good dental and general health. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, we appreciate that many patients have busy schedules, which is why we are open from 8.30am until 7pm every Monday to Friday, to 6pm on Saturdays, and on Sundays and bank holidays by special arrangement.

harley-street-dental-clinicBecause we know that sometimes you will need an emergency dentist outside of regular practice opening hours, we also have an emergency call-out line that is open from 10pm to 8.30am – call us straight away on 020 3553 8200 if you require emergency dental treatment.

Most patients are advised to come for a check-up every six months. Sometimes, if there is a particular condition that we are treating or monitoring, your dentist will recommend more frequent appointments. You should always follow their guidance to ensure your oral health remains in excellent condition.

At Harley Street Dental Clinic we are passionate about preventative dentistry. Regular visits to the dental practice help to prevent common problems such as tooth decay or gum disease from arising in the first place, but if they do develop, the earlier your dentist catches them the easier they are to treat.

Even if you have good dental health and a strong homecare routine, it is still advisable to make regular trips to the dental practice. This is because the early symptoms of conditions such as gum disease are often quite difficult to spot at home, whereas your dentist is in a prime position to notice and treat them before they become serious.

Gum disease remains one of the leading causes of tooth loss for adult patients in the UK, so stopping it as soon as (or preferably before) it starts is vital.

Harley Street Dental Clinic offers the services of a wide range of specialists, from dental hygienists to maxillofacial surgeons; whatever treatment you need, you can get it all under one roof at our modern London practice.

How your dentist and hygienist can help restore your gum health

As well as taking care of your teeth, your dentist and hygienist will work together to ensure that you have healthy gums. Gum health is just as important as tooth health, because gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in the UK. At Harley Street Dental Clinic, as well as a team of dentists and hygienists, we offer the services of specialist periodontist Dr Pedja Pavlovic, who can treat a range of complex gum issues.

gum diseasePeriodontics is the dental specialism that deals with the gums. Gum disease is very common and most people will experience it at some point in their life. There are two forms of gum disease: the early form is called gingivitis, while the more advanced form is known as periodontitis or periodontal disease.

The early symptoms of gingivitis can be difficult to spot, which is why regular visits to the dentist and hygienist are important, as they are in a prime position to notice the early signs. Symptoms you may notice yourself include red and swollen gums (which may or may not be painful), persistent bad breath, and gums that bleed when you brush your teeth.

If you notice any of these symptoms you should book an appointment with a dentist here at our Harley Street clinic at your earliest convenience. Treating gingivitis promptly will help to prevent the more serious form of gum disease developing.

Your hygienist plays an important role in treating the early stages of gum disease, professionally cleaning your teeth in a procedure known as a scale and polish to remove all traces of plaque, which causes gum disease.

If you haven’t visited the dentist or hygienist for some time, you may have developed periodontitis, which is characterised by:

  • Tooth ligaments detaching
  • Destruction of surrounding bone
  • Teeth becoming wobbly
  • Tooth loss

Harley Street Dental Clinic’s specialist periodontist, Dr Pavlovic, can provide a range of options to manage the condition.

Dental Hygiene on Harley Street

A good dental hygiene regime is essential if you want to maintain a healthy, happy smile. Good dental hygiene involves team work, combining regular visits to your dentist or hygienist with stringent homecare.

dental hygieneAs well as treating you in the practice, our hygienists will show you the best way to look after your teeth at home. We recommend that you visit the hygienist every six months to help keep your mouth in top condition.

Most people instantly think of professional tooth cleaning, often called a scale and polish, when they think of dental hygienists. Whilst thoroughly cleaning your teeth to remove any stubborn plaque or tartar is a vital part of our hygienists’ work, they also provide a range of other services.

Your professional tooth cleaning will involve:

  • Complete ultrasonic tooth cleaning to gently remove tartar
  • Polishing to remove any stubborn plaque
  • Stain removal using a high-power, mildly abrasive water jet

In addition, our hygienists will fully assess the health of your gums. They can spot and treat gum disease before it become too serious, another important reason to visit us every six months.

You will also receive a full, honest assessment of your current oral health, including any steps you can take to improve it. This may include the best products to use at home, as well as dietary advice, fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel and fissure sealants to close small cracks and limit future decay.

The goal of all of this is to help you achieve excellent standards of oral health, avoiding the need for potentially more invasive treatments in the future. If you do require procedures such as oral surgery, good dental hygiene practices will help you to enjoy and maintain the benefits of such treatment for many years to come.

The Harley Street Dental Clinic are able to help with simple to complex dental concerns. Book a consultation with a dentist to find out more.