If you have gum disease, you need to be under the care of a periodontist. A periodontist specialises in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum disease. There are many ways to get periodontal treatment in South Kensington. Some of those treatments for gum disease are surgical, others aren't. Some of the options can have cosmetic benefits. Additionally, lasers can be used in the treatments.
WHAT IS GUM DISEASE?
Gum disease, also called Gingivitis, is characterized by:
- Bleeding gums
- Mouth sores
- Bright red or purplish looking gums
- Swollen, shiny looking gums
- Gums that are tender when touched or gently poked
Gum disease, or the inflammation of the gums, is a form of periodontal disease. Gum disease can be caused by brushing or flossing too aggressively or by chronic plaque build-up. People who are generally ill, pregnant, have poor dental hygiene, and out of control diabetes are at higher risk for developing gum disease.
If gum disease goes untreated, it becomes a very serious condition called Periodontis. With Periodontis, the gum separates from the teeth forming painful, swollen pockets of infection—this infection destroys not just the teeth, but also the jaw bone. There are four stages of gum disease. In stage I, the pocket or gap between the teeth and the gums is minimal but the gums bleed when poked. In stage II, the pocket between the teeth and gums is approximately 3-5 mm deep. In stage III, the teeth begin to drift and show open spaces. The depth of the pockets between the teeth and gums is 4-6 mm deep. In stage IV, advanced Periodontis, the teeth are often loose, the patient has constant bad mouth odor and food probably tastes bad, the roots of the teeth can be exposed, and the pockets between the gums and teeth is 6 mm or more.
HOW IS GUM DISEASE TREATED?
Getting periodontal treatment in South Kensington generally starts with being diagnosed with gum disease. One of the first treatments generally given to those with gum disease is a very deep cleaning involving scaling, root planing, and using antimicrobial prescription-strength mouth wash. Even if there is no surgery required and better oral hygiene is practiced by the patient, it is generally advisable to see a periodontist regularly for check-ups.
If your gum disease cannot be treated with deep cleaning, your South Kensington periodontist will recommend surgery. There are a number of different types of periodontal surgery, such as pocket reduction procedures, soft tissue grafts, regenerative procedures, and crown lengthening. Although lasers are relatively new in the treatment of Gingivitis, the use of lasers in deep cleaning can make the subsequent surgical procedure more effective.
GETTING PERIODONTAL TREATMENT IN SOUTH KENSINGTON
To find a periodontist in South Kensington, you can typically ask any dentist for a referral, do a web search, use a dental referral service, or check in the phone book. Even though periodontal treatment is fairly common, not all South Kensington dental practices have periodontists on staff. You can check a dentist's website to see if they have a part- or full-time periodontist they regularly work with. Remember that if gum disease goes untreated, it can lead to tooth decay, losing teeth, and can ultimately effect the health of your entire body.
