Gum disease

Healthy Gums Happy Teeth With Our Dental Hygienist For Patients Near Deansgrange

Summer is almost upon us and there’s a hint of excitement in the air. With the summer months synonymous with spending time with friends and family, holidays, weddings and having fun, what better time to treat your smile to some TLC with a session with our amazing dental hygienist?

What do dental hygienists do?

Our experienced dental hygienists are specially trained to provide patients with advice about oral hygiene and oral health, manage and treat gum disease and provide preventative services for patients of all ages. Even if you have excellent oral health, you can still benefit from seeing a dental hygienist. Not only will your hygienist remove any troublesome bacteria from your mouth, but they will also give your teeth a thorough clean, which will ensure your smile looks beautiful and radiant.

Treatments offered by a dental hygienist include fluoride varnish and fissure sealant treatment for children, intensive cleaning treatments, such as a scale and polish, gum disease and halitosis treatment, oral health education and advice and stain removal.

How often should I see a dental hygienist?

If you have existing oral health problems, such as bad breath (halitosis) or gum disease, you will benefit from regular hygiene sessions. If you have good oral health, seeing a hygienist once or twice a year will help to keep oral diseases at bay.

Why is oral hygiene so important?

Most people know that good oral hygiene helps to lower the risk of gum disease and cavities, but the link between gum disease and other health problems may be less well-known. Studies have shown that people with periodontal disease (the advanced form of gum disease) have an increased risk of a wide range of general health problems, including heart disease and strokes.

If you have any questions about brushing or flossing, smoking or diet, our hygienists will be happy to help.

Gum Disease Advice For Patients Near Seapoint

Many people are aware that brushing their teeth helps to keep gum disease and cavities at bay, but did you know that your oral hygiene regime can also help to reduce the risk of serious general health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and strokes?

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is an oral disease, which affects the gum tissue surrounding the teeth. The warning signs of gum disease include bleeding, which usually occurs during or after brushing, swollen and red gums and soreness. Mild gum disease (gingivitis) is treatable with good oral hygiene, but if it is left untreated, it can develop into periodontal disease. This can cause permanent damage to the gums and may even result in tooth loss. Gum disease is the most common cause of premature tooth loss in adults in the UK.

Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky white substance, which is made from bacteria and food debris. If plaque is not removed by brushing or flossing, it collects and starts to irritate the gums, causing inflammation and pain. Additional risk factors for gum disease include smoking, a poor diet, stress and hormonal changes.

Gum disease is extremely common, affecting around 80 per cent of people at some point in their lives.

What should I do if I have symptoms of gum disease?

If your gums are swollen, sore or red and you notice blood when you brush your teeth, see your dentist as soon as possible; it is important to treat gum disease early to prevent it from developing into a long-term condition. Other symptoms of gum disease include pain when you bite down on food and increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks. Symptoms of advanced gum disease include unpleasant smelling breath and loose tooth.

Gum disease can cause complications during labour and childbirth and it is particularly important for pregnant women to see their dentist for regular check-ups.

What are the health implications of gum disease?

Numerous studies conducted in countries all over the world have implied that gum disease has wider health implications, including an increased risk of heart disease and strokes, both of which are life-threatening conditions. Gum disease affects general health because harmful bacteria from the mouth can travel to other parts of the body and researchers believe that in some cases, the bacteria can contribute to narrowing of the arteries (known as atherosclerosis), which may reduce the efficiency of blood flow around the body and the formation of blood clots, which may block blood flow, resulting in a heart attack (when blood flow to the heart is blocked) or stroke (when blood flow to the brain is disrupted). Contact the team at Dublin18 Dental Care near Seapoint for more information

Dublin18 Dental Care is Happy to Help Patients from Foxrock Fight Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the most common dental complaints and many adults will suffer from it at some point in their lifetime. Gum disease will not cause any serious long-term oral health problems if it is treated quickly; however, if gum disease is left untreated it can develop into more serious conditions. Dublin18 Dental Care is here to ensure patients from Foxrock and surrounding areas do not have to put up with this problem.

There are two main types of gum disease:

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque (bacteria that builds up on teeth and around the gums). Gingivitis can develop if this plaque build-up is not removed.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis occurs when gingivitis is left untreated. An excessive build-up of plaque will cause the gums to separate from the teeth, forming ‘pockets’ of space between the gum tissue and the tooth. Plaque and tartar (a hardened build up of plaque) can build-up in these pockets and prolonged inflammation can destroy the bone tissue that fixes the teeth in place, causing the teeth to become loose and even fall out.

The symptoms of gingivitis include:

Red, swollen gums.
Bleeding gums (noticeable when brushing and/or flossing).

The more serious symptoms associated with periodontitis include:

Dark red/purple swollen gums.
Bleeding gums.
Bad breath.
Receding gums.
Sensitive teeth.
Loose teeth and tooth loss.

How is gum disease treated?

Prevention is, of course, the best way to avoid gum disease and you can maintain good oral hygiene by brushing the teeth twice a day and flossing regularly. It is also important to make regular visits to your dentist. Smoking is also one of the biggest causes of plaque build-up, so it is highly recommended that you quit.

If you are diagnosed with gingivitis then your dentist may recommend that you see a dental hygienist. Hygienists assist in the treatment and prevention of oral health problems such as gum disease, and your hygienist will remove the plaque build-up from your teeth through a procedure called ‘scaling’. You may also be prescribed antibiotics or an antiseptic mouthwash. If you have developed periodontitis then more complicated procedures are required to remove the plaque and tartar from the roots of the teeth. In some cases surgery is required to either remove or strengthen teeth in cases of extensive bone loss.

If you are worried about gum disease make an appointment with Dublin18 Dental Care today.