Is there a pill I can take for that?

A blog by our dental therapist and hygienist, Melanie Joyce:

Common Questions I am asked…

Patients often ask me whether a course of antibiotics will fix their gum disease, or if there is a special toothpaste/ Mouthwash they should use to make their gum disease go away? It got me thinking about how in modern society we may often look for a quick fix solution, which in many cases doesn’t provide the best solution. The same can be said for stabilising gum disease. Antibiotics do have their place, but for the majority of patients with gum disease antibiotics aren’t helpful and are not advised. Although it would be very helpful for us all if there was, there is no special toothpaste or mouthwash that will magically make gum disease disappear. However, we know more about the progression and prevention of gum disease that ever before, which helps us to give the best treatment and advice. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, and so dental hygiene treatment and awareness has become more important and relevant than ever.

Progression of Gum Disease

Early gum disease, known as gingivitis, can be treated rapidly if the right techniques to remove the plaque are utilised. This involves using the best at home brushing and oral hygiene techniques, alongside routine dental hygienist visits. However, if this is left to progress, this can turn in to more established gum disease, known as Periodontitis. This is usually a chronic disease with multiple contributing factors such as daily plaque build-up and is influenced by other factors such as smoking and diabetes.  Periodontitis can be considered unstable, improving or stable.  Just as the disease can slowly progress over a long period of time, it can also take time for the disease to stabilise.  There is no quick fix, instead at Infinity Dental Clinic we work together with our patients to give them the best chance of the disease becoming stable and preventing loss of the teeth. It is incredibly satisfying to see people turn their gum health around, making them feel better about their smile and improving their chances of keeping their teeth for life.

We do this by advising our patients on behaviour changes and oral hygiene tips that will help them to remove the cause of their gum disease, alongside regular professional dental hygiene treatment and cleaning of the teeth, roots and gums. In order to stabilise gum disease, we encourage our patients by helping them to commit to an effective oral hygiene regime at home, giving bespoke advice and top dental hygiene tips. We will provide an initial treatment plan followed by a maintenance plan of regular hygiene visits to treat any symptoms visible in the mouth.

Dental Hygiene Appointments and Tooth Brushing

During dental hygiene visits the dental hygienist will remove the hard and soft plaque present, so that your home brushing is as effective as possible. However, it is the effective removal of soft plaque on a daily basis and regular tooth brushing/ interdental cleaning that will make the biggest difference to the patients’ gums. Therefore, we always including oral hygiene instruction and stress the importance to our patients that disrupting plaque along the gumline and between the teeth on a daily basis, alongside regular hygiene visits so the dental hygienist can remove any hard plaque that has formed, is the gold standard on how to treat gum disease.

Infinity Dental Clinic’s and Our Patient’s Commitment

There are no quick fixes when it comes to stabilising established gum disease, it requires both the patient and the hygienist to work together as a team to progress towards stable gum health.  Here at Infinity Dental Clinic our caring team of dental hygienists are ready to partner with you.

Contact the practice now to book your next hygiene visit and begin your journey to stable, healthy gums.

Melanie Joyce