Gum disease is actually very common, far more common than you likely realise. With over half of people over 30 suffering from it. You may have heard old wives’ tales that it’s not curable, which when you look into the consequences of gum disease can be a very daunting prospect. But we want to reassure those with concerns that there are ways back from periodontal disease.

What is gum disease? It’s very simply an infection of the soft tissue in your mouth – so basically your gums. It happens when plaque and tartar build up and form bacteria in the mouth. Now lots of people can feel embarrassed about gum disease as it’s often linked to poor dental hygiene but we understand it can be really hard to get to some of the areas of the teeth and gums and sometimes people simply don’t know the correct way to brush their teeth.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

The most common symptoms of gum disease are bleeding gums – sometimes they will bleed when you brush your teeth or it might be that it’s when you come to flossing or using an interdental brush. Either way – gums shouldn’t bleed easily and blood shows signs of inflammation

If your gums look red or inflamed this could also be a sign, if you are continuously suffering from bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth. It could be that you’ve noticed your gums are shrinking or maybe that your teeth are wobbly. If you show signs of any of these we highly recommend getting in contact with your dentist in Milton Keynes and booking an appointment as soon as possible.

How do I get diagnosed?

Your dentist in Milton Keynes will do a full assessment when you go in for a check-up. They will rule out that your symptoms are not down to any other medical conditions or caused by a medication you are taking. You will be examined by the dental team who will look for obvious signs. They will also be able to see the things you can’t like excessive plaque and tartar buildup.

Treating Gum disease

The treatment of gum disease will vary depending on its severity. Sometimes all you will need is a scale and polish. Scaling works by removing tartar and bacteria from the gums. They could also do root planning which smooths the surface of the teeth to stop further buildup. In some cases a course of antibiotics could be used to help control the infection.

In more advanced cases there are surgical treatments that could be used but the is very rare.

Once you have had your dental treatment you need to make sure you are upkeeping a good dental routine at home – brushing twice daily, flossing and using interdental brushes to reach those tricky points in the mouth. Gum disease can have major implications long term including tooth loss – so it’s important you stay on top of your teeth.

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Research shows that approximately 48 per cent of adults in the UK exhibit symptoms of dental anxiety. Dental anxiety is a worrying issue that places the oral health of the patient at great risk. Often patients even avoid necessary dental care because of their fears and anxieties.

To enjoy good oral health and minimise the development of unwanted dental problems, it is paramount that patients attend regular dental screenings at a dentist City of London. When fears and anxieties prevent a patient from receiving the care they need, dental anxiety can trigger a vicious cycle of neglect and major health issues that are not confined to dental issues.

Causes of dental phobia vary, and can originate from the sights and sounds of the dental environment, the fear of pain and needles, loss of control and previous traumatic or unpleasant experiences.

Why a positive dental experience matters

Dental visits that provide a high patient satisfaction work to the advantage of both patient and dental practitioner. The patient is motivated to keep on top of their oral health to the benefit of their happy and healthy smiles and the dental practitioners enjoy the loyalty of their patients as well as support an enviable reputation that attracts new patients.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways with which to create positive dental experiences and minimise anxiety and fear whilst in the dental chair.

Patients look to strong communication from dental practitioners. Not knowing what to expect during a dental appointment can be immensely distressing for some patients. To ease the fear of the unknown, it would help matters if the dental practitioner takes the time to explain in an empathetic way, the procedure process, how it will be carried out, what instruments will be used, how long it will take, etc.

Compassion can go a long way to alleviating patient fears and anxieties which is why it is an important trait that encourages high patient satisfaction. It is ideal if it is not only the dental practitioner who practises compassion towards patients, but the entire staff complement at the dental clinic. Listening to the patient’s fears and concerns and finding suitable ways to address them is a good way of showing compassion. One technique that is used to great effect in reducing dental nervousness is sedation which is made increasingly available at progressive dental clinics.

Providing a pleasant dental environment may not directly impact a satisfactory patient experience but it does help. An aesthetically pleasing and clean atmosphere that looks to the comfort of patients is one of the easiest ways to put nervous patients at ease. A welcoming ambiance can be created by a combination of factors such as natural light, soothing music and comfortable furnishings.

Patients, both young and old, who feel welcomed and encouraged at the dental clinic are most likely to want to repeat their experiences. The opposite is also true. Negative associations will drastically reduce the chances of a patient returning to the dental clinic in the future and may also make them avoid seeking care at another clinic.

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Living with missing teeth is no fun at all, as the gums in the area of a lost tooth or teeth become exposed and this can lead to an increase in sensitivity with that area of the mouth. This can lead to the creation of some difficulties within the way the mouth is used, as a simple task like eating and drinking may become more challenging with some slight pain associated with them, leading to the avoidance of tougher foods such as nuts or steak.

Many people who suffer from tooth loss start to seek out ways to gain replacement teeth, this often leads them to investigate oral devices such as bridges or dentures, neither of which can provide a fixed in place and permanent solution for replacing a lost tooth or a number of lost teeth.

Many sufferers of tooth loss are looking for a way to regain their teeth in a way that almost feels natural, dental implants Maidstone can provide a solution that feels like real natural teeth that are capable of coping with the rigours of everyday use.

Built to last a patient a lifetime

An implant that is being used to replace a single tooth is created by placing a titanium screw into the jawbone of the patient, this helps to form a strong base within the mouth for the new tooth to sit on. The new tooth is a ceramic crown that is attached to the head of the screw, so it is firmly held in place.

The crown is shaped and coloured to allow it to blend in with any teeth surrounding it, often the patient cannot tell which is the replacement tooth after a while as the surface of the crown starts to look like the other teeth around it after being used for a period of time.

While the description here describes the replacing of a single tooth, with a little variation this technique can be easily adapted to replace multiple teeth, as well as being able to be used as an alternative to dentures in cases of extreme tooth loss. Patients are advised to consult with a dentist to understand their options in full.

Freedom of choice when it comes to food

Many people who suffer tooth loss find that they have to change their eating habits, as they chose to avoid eating food they feel they may struggle to bite into or chew. Even with the use of a bridge or dentures, they may find they still have some issues with some foods.

By giving a patient a fixed in place replacement tooth or teeth we can take away any concerns they may have about the food they eat, as they will have the knowledge that their teeth are strong enough to cope with the eating of the food they chose.

Start to smile again

When some people lose teeth at the front of the mouth they may decide to try to avoid smiling, as they may not want to expose their tooth loss. Replacing these teeth with dental Implants may allow them to feel confident smiling once more.

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