Your Guide to Gum Health – Part 1

Welcome to Part 1 your guide about looking after your gums and treatment for gum disease at Claregate Dental Practice, in Wolverhampton.

In this guide we will cover the most common questions asked about looking after your gums. Some more information can be found on our website, and you are always welcome to contact us for a free consultation with our Patient Care Co-ordinators.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

• • Bleeding, red/swollen gums when brushing or flossing etc.
  • Gum recession (gums pulling away from teeth).
  • Bad breath.
  • Loose teeth.

What causes gum disease?

• • The build‑up of plaque (biofilm) and bacteria being left on your teeth and gums.
  • Certain risk‑factors can exacerbate the disease: smoking, diabetes, poor diet/hygiene and genetic predisposition.

Is gum disease reversible? What are the stages?

• • The early stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which can improve with better oral hygiene, hence it is completely reversible.
  • Later stages of gum disease, is called periodontal disease, is not reversible.
  • However, this disease can be stabilised with correct dental treatment and better oral hygiene at home.

How is gum disease treated? What options are there?

• • The treatment varies depending on the stage.
  • For early gum disease (gingivitis), a professional clean with the dental hygienist is necessary.

1. • This can include assessments such as gum measurements and determining of how well you clean your teeth using disclosing dye.
   • Oral hygiene advice will be tailored to your needs.
   • For more advanced gum disease, more thorough assessments of your gums will be needed, possibly x-rays to determine how severe the disease is

1. • This will be followed with tailored oral hygiene advice and a clean underneath the gums which can be carried out with or without local anaesthetic.
   • We are pleased to offer the latest in gum treatment with the Guided Biofilm Treatment (GBT). Visit our website for details.
   • For severe cases of periodontal disease, a referral to a specialist may be advised.

Find out more from our YouTube channel!