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Hygiene Treatments
Our thoughts and process
A great smile needs to start with a healthy smile. At U Dentistry, we take your gum health seriously, and our hygienists are always busy with the routine of focusing on prevention and avoidance of problems in the first place. Routine hygiene care covers a range of treatments, including the obvious scale and polish, but also involves stain removal techniques such as ‘Airflow’ and education, showing you the best ways to care for your teeth and gums at home. Diet is important too, and our hygienists have a wealth of experience and knowledge that they are keen to share to keep your teeth and gum health in check and healthy.
At U Dentistry Ilkley, we specialise in comprehensive gum health and periodontal care to help prevent and treat gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis. Our experienced hygienists use advanced techniques such as Full Mouth Detox and Perio Flow to effectively remove harmful plaque bacteria, stabilise gum health, and protect your natural teeth and dental implants. With personalised hygiene programmes, professional cleanings, and thorough implant maintenance, we aim to preserve your smile’s health and prevent tooth loss. If you’re experiencing bleeding gums, bad breath, or loose teeth, book a consultation with our Ilkley clinic today for expert gum disease diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment of Gum conditions
Gum disease is extraordinarily common; broadly speaking, it is split into Gingivitis and Periodontitis. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums. It is usually superficial and non-destructive. Most people have some degree of gingivitis at some time. It is caused when your gums become inflamed as they try to respond to plaque and food deposits that have not been cleaned away. There is rarely any discomfort associated with gingivitis, but patients are often aware of bleeding gums and a malodor (bad breath) or a bad taste. The gums may look slightly swollen with a red band adjacent to the teeth. Gingivitis should be treated as it can lead to issues of decay or more destructive gum conditions like periodontitis. Treatment aims are to improve plaque control, removing the trigger for the gum inflammation.
Periodontitis or periodontal disease is inflammation in the tissues surrounding a tooth (the periodontium), which has progressive bone loss as a major feature. This gum disease is destructive, with the irreversible loss of bone and attachment. Features of the disease again rarely include pain, but could include some or all of the following:
- Bleeding gums - superficial gingivitis
- Bad taste or bad breath
- Pocket formation in the gums
- Loose teeth
- Gum recession – the gums effectively recede as the underlying bone is lost (note – not all recession is because of periodontal disease)
- Periodontal abscess – an infection that can periodically flare up in a periodontal pocket, causing pain
- Tooth loss
Untreated, the result of periodontitis is tooth loss. At U Dentistry, we have a very thorough approach to periodontal disease, and we treat a lot of it. Many treatments that patients initially approach us for, such as crowns and bridges and implants, shouldn’t and won't be provided when patients have an underlying active periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is primarily caused by an overgrowth of certain plaque bacteria, which is then coupled with influences such as genetic susceptibility and external influencing factors such as smoking.
We routinely perform laboratory tests to check for specific harmful periodontal bacteria and DNA assessment of genotypes, which would convey an increased risk of future periodontal and peri-implant complications. All of our hygienists are well-trained and routinely provide ‘Full Mouth Detox’ (or FMD) therapy to arrest and stabilise periodontitis progression. FMD is a thorough and hard-hitting periodontal treatment which involves both a mechanical and antimicrobial attack on the bacteria driving the periodontal destruction.
Implant maintenance
Implants require cleaning and maintenance every bit as much as natural teeth. Gum diseases exist around implants, such as peri-implant mucositis (similar to gingivitis) and peri-implantitis (similar to periodontitis). Implant care and maintenance is not rocket science, but requires special knowledge regarding protocols and techniques, and different instrumentation in terms of equipment and tools. All of our hygienists are well-trained in this area and provide implant care and maintenance daily.
Peri-implantitis is a major issue facing dental implantology; it is incredibly hard to treat successfully, and its detection often signifies the gradual loss of an implant despite best efforts. Pre-implant assessment and screening, and correction of any underlying periodontitis concerns, is the best position to start from.
Management of peri-implantitis is sometimes possible and again our hygienists are well trained and experienced in non surgical treatment options for failing implants such as Perio Flow. When indicated, Martin Harris also provides surgical options for peri-implantitis treatments, sometimes implant removal is recommended or preferred.
Martin regularly lectures to hygienists from across the country on this very difficult subject.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is mainly caused by plaque bacteria build-up, poor oral hygiene, genetic factors, and lifestyle habits such as smoking.
What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontitis?
Gingivitis is the early, reversible gum inflammation, while periodontitis is a more serious condition causing irreversible bone loss and potential tooth loss.
How is gum disease treated?
Treatment ranges from professional cleaning and improved home care to advanced procedures like Full Mouth Detox to remove harmful bacteria and stabilise gum health.
Why is implant maintenance important?
Implants can develop gum conditions similar to natural teeth, such as peri-implantitis, which can cause implant failure if untreated. Regular cleaning and monitoring are essential.
Can gum disease be prevented?
Yes, with good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, professional hygiene visits, and lifestyle changes, the risk and progression of gum disease can be significantly reduced.
Concerned about your gum health or implant maintenance?
Schedule a consultation at U Dentistry Ilkley today and let our expert hygienists help protect your smile.
01943 605058
At U Dentistry in Ilkley, we use high-quality materials and expert techniques to restore your teeth with crowns and bridges that look and feel natural. Whether reinforcing damaged teeth or replacing missing ones, our tailored solutions improve function and aesthetics.
Restore your smile and confidence with high-quality dental implants from U Dentistry. Designed to replace missing teeth with natural-looking, long-lasting results, dental implants are the gold standard in modern tooth replacement.