Download Gum Disease Advice Sheet

Sidcup Dental Surgery Gum Disease Advice
2013
GUM DISEASE - HELPING YOU TO HELP YOURSELF
Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque around and between the teeth.
Gum disease varies, from gingivitis which is completely reversible, to chronic periodontitis
which is the main cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK.
Patients are treated in different ways depending on the severity of the disease.
When conducting a dental examination, your dentist will check your gums, and offer a
variety of treatments.
Sometimes, oral hygiene instruction is all that is needed.
Sometimes a simple scale and polish by the dentist will be prescribed.
Some patients will be recommended to see the hygienist, if it is considered that they need
more extensive treatment.
Depending on the severity of cases, your dentist may prescribe several visits with the
hygienist to get your mouth clean, and then a review period set with further treatment with
our hygienist. These visits may be as many as four times per annum.
It cannot be stressed enough, how important it is that the patient follows the instructions
with reference to oral hygiene. Unless plaque removal is carried out regularly, including
cleaning between the teeth, then the appointments with our hygienist are of little value.
Cigarette smoking is a major causative factor with regard to gum disease. Smokers will not
respond to treatment as well as non-smokers. Therefore it is important, to cease smoking if
you wish to save your teeth.
1