Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Periodontal or gum therapy treats the different diseases that affect the gum and bone surrounding your teeth.

It is very important to treat gum disease problems at the earliest possible time. If left untreated the disease causes the gum and the bone around teeth to breakdown.

Gum disease can lead to:

• Deeper spaces (pockets) in the gum between your teeth and gums, allowing more bacteria to collect.
• Bone loss, resulting in less bone anchoring your teeth.
• Loose teeth, and tooth loss.

Do you suffer from gum disease?

• Do your gums bleed when you brush them?
• Do you get blood in your mouth for no apparent reason?
• Have you noticed spaces developing between your teeth?
• Have you noticed your gums receding, ie your teeth looking longer?
• Do your gums look red or swollen?
• Do you suffer with bad breath?
• Do your teeth feel loose?
• Have your teeth moved position?
• Do you suffer with recurrent infections in your mouth?

If you can answer yes to any of the above questions then you should see a dentist to be screened for gum disease and discuss your concerns.

Unfortunately, gum disease usually only becomes apparent to patients once it has reached the advanced stages.  Regular checking at the dentist is vitally important to identify it in the early stages and thereby giving the best prognosis to treatment. In the advanced stages, often teeth are non amenable to treatment and need to be lost.

Who carries out the treatment?

Periodontics is a highly skilled and specialised dental treatment. At Portman Healthcare we have some of the most respected  specialist periodontists in the country who regularly lecture internationally. Should you require treatment, you will be in the hands of some of the most experienced clinicians in the world.

Benefits:

• Prevents the permanent loss of teeth
• Maintains good function
• Reduces the risk of infections spreading