01 8417344

Gum Treatment

Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth. It begins when the bacteria in plaque builds up on your teeth, causing the gums to become inflamed.

With time, plaque can spread and grow below the gum-line. This causes the tissues and bone that support the teeth to eventually break down. Gums then separate from the teeth, forming pockets (spaces between the teeth and gums) that become infected.

As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed. Finally, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

  • Eventually, teeth can become loose and may have to be removed.

Symptoms of gum disease

  • You may not know as it is often not painful & no symptoms.
  • Bleeding from the gums when you brush your teeth.
  • Red and swollen gums
  • Bad breath/ metallic taste.
  • Sensitivity to hot and cold and when getting cleaned by the dentist (due to gums receding leaving the sensitive roots exposed
  • Eventually your teeth can become wobbly
  • You may get gum abscesses (pus collecting under the gum).

How is gum disease treated?

  • Deep Cleaning: If you have gum disease, you need more extensive scaling to remove plaque and tartar from the pockets that have formed. Usually takes 4 visits, doesn’t hurt as one corner of your mouth is numbed and cleaned at a time.
  • It’s Your Choice: if you want to treat your gum disease, make an appointment for deep cleaning.

Costs €100 per ¼ of your mouth. (usually €200 per visit in most other dental surgeries).

Up to 20% of the cost can be claimed back from the taxman. We will even complete the necessary forms for you!

If you chose to, or not to get deep cleaning done, either way please follow the following advice:

Preventing gum disease

Gum disease is totally preventable. Preventing gum disease (from starting or returning after deep cleaning) involves controlling the amount of plaque and tartar that builds up on your teeth.

  • Twice yearly Scale and Polish with the dentist or hygienist ( we will send you a reminder). Proper cleaning prevents the gums receding. We try to be as gentle as possible but it can sometimes be sensitive getting your teeth cleaned thoroughly (especially if the gums have started to recede leaving sensitive roots exposed). You can ask to be ‘numbed’ with local anaesthetic if they are very sensitive.
  • Daily Flossing
  • Brushing and Listerine mouthwash.
  • Give up smoking

If you would like to discuss how to treat gum disease, then give us a call on 01 8417344.