Dental treatments > Caring for your gums > Gum disease

Gum disease

Sometimes bleeding gums (‘gingivitis') tell us that we have areas which we missed when we brushed recently - when we brush better, the bleeding will stop with few permanent effects.

If this poor brushing continues it can cause what is known as gum disease - technically called ‘periodontitis', (in the past it has been called ‘pyorrhoea'). This refers to the process where the pink gum and bone which holds a tooth secure begins to be damaged and disappears - leaving a wobbly tooth or teeth after years of slow progress.

It is routine for dentists to treat gum disease and this treatment usually involves repeated removal of the tartar around the tooth and under the gum, where it allows bacteria to fester and cause bone damage. As a patient you should also be informed that you have gum disease and often some improvement in your tooth brushing technique will be called for.

Toothbrushing should last for about 2 minutes each time to ensure maximum plaque removal and check no places are missed. However because a normal toothbrush will only clean 65% of tooth surfaces, other aids like floss and tiny headed single tufted brushes or Interdental brushes to get between the back teeth often work really well.

Smoking is a significant factor which makes gum disease much worse. Patients with gum disease are encouraged to think of stopping?

USmile: Treating Gum Disease. South Wales Area:

Usmile Accepts Patients From Porthcawl, Bridgend, Port Talbot, Pyle, Kenfig Hill: And Beyond…