Gum Examination
At your initial and routine check-up appointments, your dentist will check your gums to ensure they are healthy. If they find any signs of gum disease developing, they will perform further investigations to determine the extent of the gum disease and the appropriate treatment. They will note the position and extent of any gum recession, bleeding or tenderness, and tooth movement or looseness. They will also make a detailed analysis of ‘problem’ areas, and from there they can make a plan of action with you to prevent further issues.
Gum Treatment
This involves an initial review of your oral hygiene regime to ensure you are able to keep your gums as healthy as possible, and that the treatment is as effective as it can be. We then clean around all of your teeth to remove harmful plaque and tartar, which cause your gums to be irritated and inflamed. We also do a deep clean between your teeth and gums to ensure the tissue that supports your teeth has the best possible chance of forming a strong attachment to them. The aim of gum treatment is to provide your teeth with the best, strongest foundations they can have so that you keep hold of them for longer! The treatment is done under local anaesthetic, meaning the gums will feel completely numb, making it much more comfortable for you and practically pain-free.
Hygiene Sessions
You can visit Debbie (Bella), our lovely hygiene-therapist for a hygiene session without seeing one of our dentists first. So even if you have a dentist at a different practice, you can book in for your hygiene appointments with us and go back to them for your routine dental check-up’s and treatment. By attending our practice for hygiene appointments, you are not de-registered from your normal dentist, so if we are more conveniently located for you, or there is a long wait for hygiene appointments at your usual dentist, feel free to pop in to us for a quick clean up!
We recommend that everyone has regular hygiene visits, in order to maintain their oral hygiene and keep their teeth and gums in great condition. It is as important to keep your teeth and gums clean, as it is to have them checked over every six months. Keeping your mouth as healthy as it can be is all down to you having a good oral hygiene regime, and having regular professional cleans. It will also increase the lifespan of any dental treatment you have had, such as crowns, veneers, or any type of tooth replacement. Poor gum health has also been associated with other health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and other autoimmune conditions. Even more reason to keep up with those routine cleans!
Gum Disease Treatment FAQs
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Gum disease is an infection of the gums caused by a build-up of plaque and bacteria around the teeth. It can lead to red, swollen, or bleeding gums and, if untreated, can affect the bone that supports your teeth.
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Common signs include bleeding when brushing or flossing, sore or swollen gums, bad breath, a bad taste in the mouth, or gums that appear to be shrinking away from the teeth.
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Treatment usually involves thorough cleaning above and below the gum line to remove plaque and tartar, along with tailored advice on brushing and flossing at home. More advanced cases may require deeper cleaning or referral for specialist periodontal care.
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Most patients find treatment comfortable, especially when local anaesthetic or numbing gel is used. You may feel some pressure during cleaning, but your clinician will work gently and check in with you throughout.
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Appointment length depends on how advanced the gum disease is and how many areas need to be treated. Early gum problems may be managed in a standard session, while more complex cases can require several visits.
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Early gum disease (gingivitis) can often be reversed with professional care and good home cleaning. In more advanced cases, treatment focuses on stopping further damage, improving gum health, and helping you keep your teeth for as long as possible.
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Brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth daily, attending regular hygiene and dental check-ups, and following personalised advice from your clinician all help keep your gums healthy long term.
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Yes. As a private patient you can usually access longer, more tailored appointments and a wider choice of treatment options, with all recommended care and fees explained before treatment begins.