Gum disease treatment at Cowbridge Dental Specialists

Healthy gums are the foundation of a stable, happy smile. Gum disease, or periodontitis, is one of the main causes of tooth loss. Our Specialist Periodontist in Cowbridge is here to help prevent that from happening, managing and treating the symptoms and restoring your dental health.

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"I have had a fantastic experience at Cowbridge Orthodontics. The staff are always so friendly and caring. They always centre the appointments on my availability and constantly focus on the patient. Justin, Claire and all the other staff show kindness from when we enter the orthodontist to when we leave. They are very approachable. I highly recommend this orthodontist and I am 100% satisfied with my care!"

Jai Jos

Prioritising your gum health

Periodontitis is a serious gum infection that causes damage to the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth. The result can be loose or even lost teeth.

Regular brushing and flossing at home, along with regular professional dental hygiene appointments can help prevent the build-up of plaque around the gum line, loose teeth and tooth loss.

At Cowbridge Dental Specialists we can treat gum disease, with suitable treatment depending on how advanced the condition is. We’ll discuss all your options after thoroughly assessing your oral health and make sure you’re comfortable throughout your treatment. We’re especially mindful of helping nervous patients feel at ease.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. In its early stages, called gingivitis, the gums are swollen, red and may bleed. In its more serious form, the gums may pull away from the teeth, bone can be lost and teeth may become loose or fall out.

Spotting the signs of gum disease

Often, the signs of gum disease don’t appear until the condition is at an advanced stage. This is why it’s important to keep up with regular dental check-ups and maintain good dental hygiene habits.

Bleeding gums

Swelling

Bad breath

Pain

Loose teeth

Non-surgical treatments for gum disease

If periodontitis isn’t at an advance stage, your specialist here in Cowbridge may treat it with a non-surgical method, such as:

Scaling to remove tartar and bacteria from the surface of your tooth and below your gum line.
Root planing to smooth the surface of the root. As well as removing tartar and bacteria, this can help your gum attach to your tooth again.
Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed by our specialist periodontist. Topical antibiotics in the form of mouthwash or gel can help control the bacterial infection. Sometimes oral antibiotics may be necessary.

Surgical treatments for gum disease

If you have advanced periodontitis you may need dental surgery, such as:

Flap surgery, or pocket reduction surgery

‍Your periodontist makes small incisions in your gum to enable a section of gum tissue to be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective scaling and root planing. The underlying bone may be recontoured before the gum tissue is stitched back in place. Once healed, these areas will be easier to clean to maintain healthy gum tissue.
Soft tissue graft

When you lose gum tissue, your gum line gets lower, exposing some of your tooth roots. You may need to have some of the damaged soft tissue reinforced. This is usually done by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth (palate) or elsewhere and attaching it to the affected site. This can help reduce further gum loss, reduce sensitivity, cover exposed roots and improve the appearance of your teeth.
Bone graft

‍This is performed when gum disease has destroyed the bone surrounding your tooth root. The graft may be composed of small fragments of your own bone, or it may be synthetic or donated. The bone graft helps prevent tooth loss by holding your tooth in place. It also serves as a platform for the regrowth of natural bone.

Book an appointment or a free discovery call with our treatment coordinator

Your journey to a healthier smile begins with your first appointment at Cowbridge Dental Specialists. Our experienced treatment coordinator will conduct a free digital scan to understand your smile needs and discuss suitable treatment options. We'll then guide you on the next steps towards achieving your dream smile.