Gum Disease

A clean mouth with healthy gums is the foundation of long-term dental health.

The health of your gums is critical in oral health. If they become inflamed and tender, and they bleed while brushing, you may have gum disease.

Our hygienists have the expertise to restore your gums to full health and demonstrate how proper cleaning can help keep gum disease at bay.

If you believe you have gum disease, you should contact Shields Dental & Implant Clinic Limerick today on 061 480 070.

Here are some of the questions that our patients ask us about gum disease.

There are two main forms: gingivitis and periodontal disease—which describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums, which become red and swollen, and often bleed when brushed. Without treatment, gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease, which can lead to loss of the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw, making them loose. If this is not treated the teeth may fall out.

Most people suffer from some form of gum disease. It is the major cause of tooth-loss in adults. However, it develops very slowly, and can be slowed down to a rate that will enable you to keep most of your teeth for life.

Gum disease is caused by plaque, a film of bacteria that forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. While many of the bacteria in plaque are harmless, some are the main cause of gum disease, so you need to make sure to remove all plaque from your teeth every day, by brushing and flossing.

Gum disease progresses painlessly, so you often do not notice the damage it is doing. However, more active bacteria can makes your gums sore, leading to gum abscesses, and, possibly a discharge of pus from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost, and treatment becomes more difficult if the disease is left untreated for a long time.

You will firstly receive a thorough check-up of your teeth and gums, so the correct treatment can be prescribed. If periodontal disease is diagnosed, the assessment may also involve X-rays, to see the amount of bone that has been lost.

The prescribing dentist will refer you to the practice hygienist for a number of appointments for deep cleaning and oral hygiene instruction. Follow-up appointments are required to monitor and contain disease activity. If you wish to consider tooth-whiten