Periodontics

Gum disease is the most common reason why adults prematurely lose their natural teeth.

Periodontics focuses on the health of the supporting structures in your mouth, such as your gums and jawbone, with a view to eliminating gum disease and preventing it from returning in the future.

Procedures that fall under the umbrella of periodontics include treatment to reduce gum inflammation, gum recession and plaque or calculus buried under the gum line.

What is periodontics?

Advanced gum disease is clinically known as periodontitis, whilst the field of dentistry concerned with treating this is periodontics.

Periodontal disease is a serious concern that can escalate quickly without treatment. Once the bacteria in your mouth find their way within the ligaments and jawbone, teeth can start to become loose and even be under threat of falling out altogether. Not only can this be physically debilitating, but your emotional well-being can also suffer as a result of the aesthetic changes that occur.

Why is it so important to treat periodontal disease?

Protect your natural teeth
Periodontal disease destroys the supporting structures responsible for keeping teeth in good condition. Once it has been stabilised and addressed, teeth have a much better chance of functioning correctly.

Banish unpleasant symptoms
Periodontal disease can come with a whole host of unpleasant symptoms, from bleeding gums and gum recession to bad breath, jawbone deterioration and even tooth loss.

The tailored treatment plan we put together for you will be designed to curb these so you can enjoy day-to-day life without the added stress of periodontal disease.

Your overall health will benefit
Did you know your general health is directly linked to your gum health?

Once bacteria enter the bloodstream, this can cause serious and life-changing conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Periodontal treatment can prevent these bacteria from causing any more damage, reducing the possibility of gum disease-induced wider health problems.

What type of treatment do I need?

The type of periodontal treatment you need will depend on which symptoms you are experiencing.

Good oral hygiene is vital in eliminating gum disease (bleeding gums) and tooth decay. Regular visits to the dental hygienist, tailored to individual needs, will ensure that hidden and difficult-to-reach plaque and tartar (calculus) are removed. If the disease has progressed, treatment will be given over several appointments. The number of appointments depends on how bad your gum disease is. The hygienist offers tailored advice on how to maintain good dental health and demonstrates techniques you can use at home.

Some of the treatments we can offer include:

• Root scaling and debriding: Deep cleaning of the area under the gum line.
• Ongoing cleaning: Routine cleaning every 3-6 months, once bacteria/calculus has been removed underneath the gum line. This will help to prevent bacteria from affecting the structures beneath the gum line.

Top tips:

• Don’t forget to brush twice a day for two minutes.
• Don’t forget to floss or use interdental brushes.
• Brush in a circular motion with a manual toothbrush. When using an electric brush, hold the brush on each tooth and let the brush do the work!
• Avoid brushing backwards and forwards.
• Brush your tongue to get rid of bacteria and bad breath.
• Don’t rinse your mouth with water after brushing! It will wash away the fluoride.

Why choose us?

At Lockwood Dental Practice, our focus is on preventive dentistry, helping you to maintain your natural teeth for as long as possible.

Instead, we will help you aspire to keep advanced restorative procedures to a minimum so you can keep your natural teeth for as many years as possible.

We love the relationships we have built with our patients. Our team is respectful and kind, and always looks forward to seeing you. We will always strive to nurture the community feel of the practice.

For more information regarding this treatment

Call 01489 574 046 Contact