Plaque and Gum (periodontal) Disease:

Plaque is the name given to a film of bacteria which is constantly forming on all teeth.

Plaque causes tooth decay and gum disease. Good oral hygiene will help prevent this disease. Brushing your teeth regularly helps remove plaque from the surface of the teeth.

• It is important to brush the teeth twice a day with a soft to medium bristled brush. Be sure to choose a brush of the right size and shape.
• Clean between the teeth using floss or inter-dental brushes. Your hygienist or dentist will advise you. Plaque produces substances that attack and inflame gums making them bleed easily. If the gums are not treated the bone around the teeth can be destroyed.
• Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults.

Assessing the Health of your gums and the support for the Teeth

A vital part of the management of gum disease is a careful recording of the condition of your gums before active treatment starts. This will involve the measurement of gum pockets and of the amount of plaque and bleeding present. This is important so that we can assess progress and plan future treatment. The time taken to record these measurements is as valuable as time taken in active treatment. Most of your first appointment may be taken up with these recordings.

What does a Hygienist do?

Your dental hygienist will carry out careful removal of all traces of plaque and tartar from the teeth and gum pockets. This restores your gums to a healthy state.

She will also demonstrate ways that you can keep good plaque control yourself such as special tooth brushing techniques or use of interdental floss or brushes.

If there is a lot of deep cleaning to be done the hygienist will put some local anaesthetic solution into your gums to make the treatment more comfortable. A few visits may be necessary to get your gums back to full health.

It is vital that this is followed by regular recall visits every three to six months. If you are able to maintain good plaque control then in most cases the gums will begin to heal. The inflammation will disappear and the gums will tighten up around the root surfaces.

However, it must be stressed that the outcome of treatment will depend in the most part on the plaque control you are able to maintain yourself at home.