Including gum disease and smoking

Somewhere around 15% of people in the UK have periodontal disease. This is when the gums and bones which support your teeth are being negatively affected by a process of disease. It can cause teeth to become loose and at risk of falling, and it’s primarily caused by a plaque buildup.

Recently, new clinical evidence has come to light which suggests the most effective ways to combat and manage periodontal disease are:

• Informing patients and encouraging understanding of the correct instructions and outcomes
• Effective brushing and cleaning at home is more effective than scaling professionally
• Interdental cleaning (for example, flossing) is essential for patients
• Encouraging regular checkups for motivation, maintenance and monitoring

You have been diagnosed as someone suffering from the effects of periodontal disease. Your NHS Fulham Dentist will have discussed this diagnosis with you.

You will be given two appointments with an NHS hygienist. These will take place three to five weeks apart, and will consist primarily of:

• You will be told where to brush your teeth
• You will be recommended the best type of toothbrush
• You will be taught how to use solo brushes and how to floss effectively
• You will be assisted in setting up a daily action plan, and daily coping devices
• You will be have the consequences of not following the recommended daily routine fully explained
• You will be given the chance to practice all of the above in the presence of a hygienist
• With your consent, clinical photographs may be taken. These will be confidential and kept on file. Such photographs have proven to be very useful in providing you with a record of your improvement, and act as a strong motivational tool which also helps your dentist or hygienist see the changes you make.
• It may be that antibiotics will be prescribed by your dentist at some stage during the process

NB: It is important to remember to bring your toothbrushes (but not your toothpaste) EVERY TIME YOU ATTEND FUTURE APPOINTMENTS AT YOUR NHS FULHAM DENTIST CLINIC

• Smokers may experience some tenderness or bleeding of the gums. This is not unusual, and if this doesn’t happen, it’s likely you aren’t brushing effectively.
• Periodontal problems are more likely to affect smokers. It is highly recommended that you stop smoking in order to avoid the likelihood of this happening.
• Continuing smoking makes it more likely to lose teeth.
• Any treatment prescribed to you is less likely to be effective if you don’t stop smoking.
• Your doctor can help you with advice and medication to assist you in giving up smoking.

If you follow the advice given, and stick to it regularly and to the letter:

we expect a significant improvement when it comes to the following:

• Visual – swelling and inflammation (redness) of the gums
• X-rays – the level of the bone
• The mobility of your teeth
• Plaque scores and bleeding

To keep your periodontal status balanced, full compliance with the provided oral health instructions must be followed.

Should there be a noticeable improvement by the 2nd appointment with your hygienist, then an ultrasonic debridement will most probably be undertaken by your hygienist during the visit. This involves the removal of bacteria both below and above your gum line, as well as a general deplaquing of the teeth.

Should there be no noticeable improvement by the 2nd appointment with your hygienist, then you will undergo retraining, but you will not be offered any further appointments within the next three months. It is up to your dentist and hygienist to decide whether or not your compliance and personal motivation warrants further appointments.

Should there be little or no improvement after one further session with your hygienist (following the aforementioned three month gap), then the only periodontal treatment your Quality Dental NHS Dentist Fulham can offer is regular checkups to monitor the disease.

Please note that we are not able to make referrals to periodontal specialists at any London teaching hospital, should you have no shown sufficient compliance in our oral health instructions, and if we have seen no lasting improvement in your dental health.

Should you not comply with the advice given by the dental staff at Quality Dental Fulham, then please understand that the consequences for your dental and oral health may become severe. This might include the receding of your bones, and the loosening and loss of your teeth.

The equipment recommended by clinical studies into periodontal disease includes:-

• Floss
• A counter-rotational toothbrush with detachable round head
• Manual and electric interdental brushes