Gum disease is much more common than most people think, but it isn’t always as obvious as you’d expect, and knowing when to visit a dentist can be tricky. Knowing what to look out for is important, so if you suspect something isn’t quite right with the health of your teeth and gums, keep reading.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontitis, more commonly referred to as gum disease affects most adults at some point in their lifetime, and it can present in a number of ways, as a result of a number of different things. Some of the most common signs that you may have a form of gum disease include:
- Swelling
- Soreness
- Redness of the gums
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath
- Tooth loss
There is a range of reasons why you could be struggling with gum disease, from poor oral health or lifestyle habits such as smoking to underlying health conditions. That said, most patients can improve or reverse gum disease by vastly improving their oral hygiene routine.
Depending on the severity of your condition, you may experience one or several of these symptoms, so how do you know when it’s time to visit a dentist?
Taking Care of Gum Disease on Your Own
We’re often asked whether gum disease can be cured from home, without the need for dentist intervention. The answer is yes, sometimes – but this greatly depends on how established your gum disease is.
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and periodontal treatment in London for this type of gum disease can often be carried out from home, without professional input. Simply brushing twice a day and using a mouth rinse can help. Often, it’s a build-up of plaque which causes issues, so reducing plaque that can’t be reached with a toothbrush and using interdental brushes can also be effective in removing plaque build-up from in between teeth.
If you are only in the early stages of gum disease, you should see a reduction in swelling with good oral hygiene at home. If you need help with this, all you need to do is get in touch with us, and our experts will give you as much guidance and support as you need.
When to Know Whether It’s Time for Periodontal Treatment in London
It’s not always easy to spot the signs of gingivitis, so if you’re experiencing more severe symptoms then you may have missed the early stages of gum disease and now be dealing with more advanced periodontitis. The symptoms of more severe gum disease, including bleeding gums and loose teeth, are indicative of full-blown gum disease, which will need professional treatment to fix.
The important thing to note is that there is a range of treatments available which can help, and can include:
- X-rays to determine the severity of the gum disease
- Deep cleaning, also known as a scale and polish
- Advice on how to change your lifestyle, such as stopping smoking
- Antibiotics
- Gum surgery
- Deep cleaning beneath the gums
We’re well-respected for our periodontal treatment in London, offering a range of treatment options, including conventional periodontal treatment, laser periodontal therapy (LENAP) as well as regenerative treatment, designed to stimulate the gum and bone regrowth.
So, whatever your symptoms, we’re confident we can help.
Are You Showing Signs of Gum Disease?
Here at Harley Street Oral Reconstruction Centre, we focus on maintaining the health of your teeth through hands-on, personalised treatment, and we’ve helped many patients struggling with the symptoms of gum disease.
Whether it’s just in the early stages, and you’re looking for advice, or you’re struggling with severe symptoms, our Harley Street dentist can help. The most important thing is that you come and seek support as soon as you notice a problem, as the sooner you get treatment, the easier it will be to fix.
Get in touch with our team if you need any advice, or to book an appointment by ringing us on 020 7486 4442 or emailing us at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.