Gum disease treatment in Tenbury Wells
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is an infection of the gums caused by plaque, the film of bacteria that builds up on teeth. It is extremely common: most people will have it at least once, and it is more common as you get older. The early stage, gingivitis, makes gums bleed and can cause bad breath. Left untreated it can become periodontitis, which damages the bone that holds your teeth.
Some people get more severe gum disease than others. Diabetes and smoking are known causes, and some people are simply more prone to it. The good news is that in most cases it can be treated comfortably, and caught early it is much easier to deal with.
Treatment at Tenbury Dental Centre is led by our dentists and carried out largely by our hygienist and therapist Sylvia Scott-James, who you can also see directly without a referral.
Simple scaling £55 · Periodontal treatment from £140Signs your gums need looking at
Gum disease can easily go unnoticed because it does not always cause pain. These are the things to watch for.
Blood on your toothbrush, or in the water when you rinse
Blood when you chew
Bad breath that does not go away
Swollen, red or sore gums
Gums that have shrunk back, making teeth look longer
A tooth that feels slightly loose, which is a later sign
If you notice any of these, book an examination. Caught early, gum disease is treated far more easily.
Why hygiene visits are the heart of gum treatment
The hygienist's role is to educate, motivate and show you the most effective cleaning techniques to stabilise gum disease and stop it advancing. Good plaque removal at home is what keeps bleeding gums under control between visits.
Regular hygiene visits also support any other dental work you have. Crowns, bridges, veneers and implants all need healthy gums around them, and research has linked inflamed, bleeding gums to bacteria entering the bloodstream, with possible links to heart problems.
Sylvia Scott-James qualified in dental hygiene and therapy at the University of Portsmouth and uses EMS Airflow cleaning. You can see her directly without a dentist's referral, though we recommend an examination if you have not had one within a year.
Treating gum disease in four stages
Assessment
Your dentist examines your gums, measures any pockets that have formed around the teeth, and takes X-rays if needed to check the bone. Then they explain what causes it and how to get rid of it.
Deep cleaning
Usually a couple of sessions with the hygienist to remove plaque and hardened tartar from above and below the gum line. Anaesthetic may be used where gums are tender.
Home care
Advice on brushing, cleaning between teeth and, where it helps, specific products. This is the part that decides whether the gums stay healthy.
Review
Your gums are re-examined to check treatment has worked. In severe cases, root planing to remove bacteria from the roots of the teeth may be needed, and a maintenance plan is agreed.
In most cases gum disease can be treated in an easy and comfortable way. The plan is tailored to how advanced it is.
Just had a appointment with the hygienist. Very thorough and did a very good job. Gave helpful advice. Thanks.
Simon Griffiths, Google review
What happens if gum disease is not treated
Over time the infection damages the bone supporting your teeth, which makes treatment much more complicated and can eventually loosen the teeth. Because it does not always hurt, that damage can be well advanced before anyone notices.
If you have bleeding gums, swelling, soreness or bad breath, we strongly recommend booking an appointment. If it is caught early, it can be treated much more easily.
Examinations and hygiene
| Examinations and hygiene | Fees |
|---|---|
|
New patient examination
Includes our ten-point clinical assessment, with an oral cancer check. |
Fees: From £85 |
|
Routine examination
For registered patients, usually twice a year. |
Fees: From £48 |
| X-rays (small) | Fees: From £15 |
| Simple scaling | Fees: From £55 |
|
Hygienist scale, extensive
For registered patients. |
Fees: £79 - £103 |
|
Periodontal treatment
Treatment for gum disease, planned after an assessment. |
Fees: From £140 |
What are the early signs of gum disease?
Blood on your toothbrush or in the water when you rinse, blood when chewing, bad breath, and gums that are swollen or sore. These are the signs of gingivitis, the early stage. Gums that have receded or a tooth that feels loose suggest it has progressed, and should be seen promptly.
Is gum disease treatment painful?
In most cases it can be done comfortably. Deep cleaning around tender gums can be uncomfortable, so anaesthetic is used where it is needed, and the hygienist works at your pace. Gums often feel better within days of a thorough clean.
Can gum disease be cured?
Gingivitis, the early stage, can usually be reversed completely with professional cleaning and good home care. Periodontitis, where bone has been lost, can be stabilised and controlled so it does not get worse, but the lost bone does not grow back. That is why early treatment matters so much.
Why do my gums bleed when I brush?
Bleeding is almost always a sign of inflammation caused by plaque along the gum line, not of brushing too hard. The instinct is to brush that area less, which makes it worse. Brush it gently but thoroughly, clean between the teeth, and book an examination so we can check how far it has gone.
Can I book the hygienist directly?
Yes. You can see our hygienist through the direct access pathway without a referral from a dentist. We would still recommend an examination with a dentist if you have not had one within the last year, because the hygienist cannot diagnose everything an examination covers.
What happens if gum disease is left untreated?
The infection gradually destroys the bone that holds your teeth in place. Teeth can loosen and eventually be lost, and treatment at that stage is far more involved. Because gum disease often causes no pain, the damage can be advanced before you notice, which is the argument for acting on bleeding gums early.
Bleeding gums? Do not wait for them to hurt
Book an examination or a hygiene visit. Caught early, gum disease is simple to treat, and your gums will thank you for it.
Simple scaling £55, periodontal treatment from £140. Treatment is subject to an examination. Every mouth is different, so what is right for you is something we work out together at your consultation. Individual results vary. Or get in touch here.
A 10-point clinical assessment with oral cancer screening, X-rays and a digital scan where needed, for £85. Nothing is done on the day unless you ask.
A fixed replacement for one tooth, several teeth or a full arch. Implant with crown £2,850 with a 3 year guarantee on the fixture. Planned with a CBCT scan.