Healthy gums mean healthy teeth and periodontics involves the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis.
What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis differs from gum disease in that, unlike gum disease which is quite common and experienced by most people at some point, it is a condition which only effects a much smaller group of patients, about 10-15 per cent.
The condition if left untreated and not managed results in damage to the supporting structures of the teeth and eventually tooth loss.
What causes periodontitis?
There are known risk factors associated with the condition such as stress, diabetes, smoking and genetics. Some people re-act to a build-up of plaque in a different way and develop periodontitis.
The bacteria in the plaque causes inflammation which eventually, without treatment, will destroy the supporting bone structures surrounding the teeth.
It is important to see a periodontist if you have been struggling to manage gum disease as the disease remains the most common cause of tooth loss in adults.
How is periodontitis treated?
At Smilecare we take a holistic approach to find the optimum way to work together with each patient to stabilise the condition to keep plaque to a minimum and prevent further inflammation.
The aim is for the patient to take control of managing the condition with a lifelong maintenance programme and our periodontal management programme that will help them keep long-lasting teeth.
