Here at Lister House Dental Centre in Harlow, we prioritise preventing oral diseases in our patients, which we achieve through state-of-the-art hygiene treatments and offering education and advice to help you look after your teeth at home. Still, gum disease is a very common condition, with 8 out of 10 people aged over 35 suffering from some gum inflammation.
So, if you’re looking for gum disease treatment in Essex, keep reading to find out how the Lister House dental experts can help you improve your oral health and maintain your natural smile.
Gingivitis and Gum Disease
Even though gum disease is a prevalent condition, it is highly preventable. Gingivitis is the first phase of gum disease that causes symptoms like sore, red gums and bleeding after brushing. This condition manifests due to a build-up of plaque along the gum line. Even though most people will suffer from gingivitis at some point in life, it is relatively easy to treat. If the plaque is allowed to harden and form tartar, then your dental hygienist in Essex will need to thoroughly clean your teeth and gums to remove debris and bacterial build-up.
The scariest part about gum disease is that many won’t know they have it until it leads to a bigger problem like periodontitis.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is an advanced form of gum disease. It is a very difficult condition to treat, often causing irreversible damage to your teeth, gums and even bone tissue, depending on its severity. Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.
Periodontitis forms when a bacterial infection spreads deep below the gum line. This infection can create pockets in the soft tissue, which causes teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. Painful abscesses can form, and excessive bleeding can occur.
Periodontal Treatment in Harlow, Essex
Unfortunately, periodontal disease is not curable, but when diagnosed early enough, our dental team in Essex can prevent the disease from progressing. Treatment usually consists of deep cleaning the root surfaces found beneath the gum line. This is performed under local anaesthesia and helps to reduce inflammation and any pockets that might have formed in the soft tissue.
We will assess your response to this initial treatment with a follow-up appointment and decide whether a second round of therapy is needed to access deeper areas of affected gum for cleaning. Periodontal tooth cleanings are carried out every 2-4 months until the patient’s gums are stable enough to carry on regular care by the dental hygienist (every 3-6 months). The patient will also be educated on the best oral routine to conduct at home to reduce the risk of their periodontist advancing further.
Special Interest Periodontal Dentist in Essex
Here at Lister House Dental Centre in Essex, we want our patient’s smiles to last a lifetime, which is why we offer a wide range of hygiene services to support your oral health and keep gum disease at bay.
If you believe you have gum disease or suspect periodontitis, book in to see our friendly team of hygienists. Our dental patients in Essex can also benefit from our in-house special-interest periodontal dentist, who is specifically trained to diagnose and treat advanced gum disease and support your oral health.