Gum treatments
Some questions answered
What is plaque?
Plaque is the name given to a film of bacteria which is constantly forming on all teeth, crowns and dentures in the mouth. Plaque causes dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease (gum disease).
Where does plaque come from?
Everyone's saliva contains many bacteria which settle onto the hard structures in the mouth. The quantity of plaque formed increases if the diet contains high levels of sugar.
Can I prevent plaque from forming?
Not entirely. However careful, regular tooth brushing will remove the plaque before it builds up in sufficient amounts to damage either the teeth or gums. Tooth brushing alone is usually not sufficient to remove the plaque thoroughly. Floss and other cleaning devices should also be used.
Is tartar (calculus) the same thing as plaque?
Not exactly. It is hardened, calcified plaque which may form above or below the level of the gum. It requires professional removal.
What is periodontal (gum) disease?
Periodontal disease is inflammation of the gums leading to damage to the supporting structures of the tooth and the surrounding bone. Pockets form between the gum and the tooth at affected sites.
What are the signs of periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease can sometimes go unnoticed until it is quite advanced. However any or all of the following signs may be present:
Red swollen gums
Bleeding gums
Bad taste
Bad breath
Gum shrinkage
Loose teeth
Teeth drifting apart.
Is periodontal disease common?
Yes, more common than tooth decay.
How bad is my gum disease?
The severity of gum disease is determined by measuring the depth in millimetres of the pockets which form around the teeth. This is done very gently with a blunt, measuring probe. This measurement tells us how much damage has occurred. X-rays are also used to assess the health of the bone supporting the teeth.
This information is recorded on a chart and then the measurements are repeated at intervals to check that treatment is being successful.
Do all the teeth in the mouth become affected to the same extent?
No. Teeth that are kept completely clean will be free from disease. When present the disease is most severe in areas which are difficult to clean; around back teeth, between teeth and around broken or badly shaped fillings and crowns.
Does failure to remove plaque always cause periodontal disease?
Yes and No. Some people have a very strong inborn resistance and don't experience severe periodontal disease even when their tooth cleaning is poor. Other people, although otherwise perfectly healthy, have a very low resistance to periodontal disease and have to achieve virtually perfect dental hygiene to prevent it. Most people are in between these two extremes.
I have always brushed my teeth twice a day. Why should I be affected?
You probably miss the same parts of your mouth every time you brush and these will be the areas affected by the disease. Toothbrushing can be very difficult in some places and the correct choice of brushes and other equipment is very important in order to achieve a good result.
What does treatment of periodontal disease involve?
In most cases thorough cleaning of the teeth and gums by the hygienist and careful attention to home tooth brushing and flossing will resolve the disease and prevent any further bone or ligament loss. In some places however, additional treatment is necessary.
If I go back to my old cleaning habits will the disease recur?
Yes.