Gum disease
Other treatments
- Before & After
- Bridgework
- Cerec
- Crowns
- Facial rejuvenation treatment
- Gum disease
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- Hygienist
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- Plaque and peridontal disease
- Tooth whitening
- Veneers
If plaque is allowed to build up on teeth, poisons produced by the bacteria make the gums inflamed. This is known as gingivitis.
The plaque on the crown of the tooth may spread down below the gum level…
… this usually occurs slowly and the inflammation produced results in the formation of ‘pockets’, spaces between the tooth and gum.
This page explains how you and your dentist or hygienist can work together to help solve the problem of periodontal disease.
Plaque is the name given to a film of bacteria which is constantly forming on all the teeth. Plaque causes dental caries (tooth decay) and periodontal disease (gum disease).
Everyone’s saliva contains millions of bacteria. These bacteria stick to the surfaces of our teeth and quickly multiply to form layers of plaque.
What does plaque look like?
Plaque is a soft, colourless substance which is difficult to see until the coating is quite thick. it collects on the surface of teeth mainly next to the gums and between the teeth.
Careful tooth cleaning every day will remove the plaque before it builds up in sufficient amounts to damage your teeth or gums. Plaque can be removed from the fronts and backs of your teeth with a toothbrush, but special devices, such as dental floss, floss threaders and bottle brushes can be necessary to clean between your teeth where toothbrush bristles don’t reach.
What is Periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease is inflammation of the tissues which supports the teeth and attaches them to the jaw. Where inflammation only involves the gum tissue it is called gingivitis. Where inflammation reaches the bone it is termed periodontitis.
Is periodontal disease common?
Yes, more common than tooth decay. Nearly every adult is affected by it, and many teeth are extracted because of periodontal disease.
I have always brushed my teeth twice a day. Why should I be affected?
You probably miss the same parts of your mouth every time you brush and these will be the areas affected by the disease. These areas are hard to see if you have missed, so your dentist/ hygienist should point out how to reach these areas. Even when your are an expert at brushing, toothbrush bristles won’t go in between teeth and that is usually where the disease is most severe.