What Is Periodontitis? 

Periodontitis is the medical term for advanced gum disease. Gum disease (sometimes called gingivitis) is caused by a buildup of plaque and other bacteria which gradually eats away at the gums over time causing tooth loss. 

As well as affecting your smile, gum disease can pose a serious threat to health as it has been proven to link to increased chances of developing or worsening of existing more severe health conditions such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. 

Periodontitis also causes complications for people expecting a child or trying to conceive, and has been shown to affect fertility in both men and women, as well as increasing chances of premature birth. If you think you have gum disease and are pregnant or trying to conceive, it is advised that you see a dentist for treatment before the condition progresses to severe periodontal disease. 

What Causes Periodontitis? 

Periodontitis is a common problem, and gum disease is estimated to affect approximately half of the UK adult population.  

The primary cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene habits, but gum disease can be caused or worsened by a range of the following factors: 

• Smoking or using other forms of smokeless tobacco such as chewing tobacco or snus
• Poor diet, obesity, and poor overall health
• High stress levels
• Bruxism (teeth grinding/clenching) 
• Excessive alcohol consumption

Sometimes gum disease can also be caused by factors out of our control such as genetics, or as a side effect of certain medications or medical conditions. People with diabetes should be especially cautious, as they are at a higher risk of developing gum disease. 

It is common for people who have not had gum disease before to develop red or swollen gums during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes. This condition usually goes away on its own after pregnancy as your hormones return to normal, but you should see a dentist if it is causing you concern or discomfort. 

How Do I Know I Have Periodontitis? 

There are many tell-tale signs you have gum disease. Some of the biggest clues include: 

• Blood when you brush your teeth
• Sore, red, or bleeding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Pain or sensitivity
• Loose teeth
• Gums that have come away from the tooth or appear to have ‘shrunk’ 

If you notice any of these signs, contact your dentist. A dentist will perform a periodontal assessment and diagnose if you have gum disease, as well as the severity. 

How Is Periodontitis Assessed? 

During a gum disease assessment, your dentist will examine your mouth in 6 sections, called sextants. Each sextant is recorded individually. It may not be necessary to perform a periodontal assessment on all sextants, as gum disease may be worse in some areas of your mouth than others. These individual scores let your dentist determine which areas of your mouth will need the most attention, and advise you on changes that need to be made to your oral hygiene routine. 

Your dentist will perform a visual assessment of your teeth, then they will use a special tool called a BPE probe to assess the depth of your gum pocket. 

The BPE probe looks like a small hook with a ball on the end and a series of black bands along the length used to measure your score between 0 and 4. A healthy gum with no gum disease will score a 0, whilst a 4 indicates severe periodontitis. You may need to be referred to one of our specially trained periodontists if you have advanced gum disease. 

Your dentist may also need to perform x-rays to assess the condition of your teeth below the gum. 

How Is Periodontitis Treated? 

Luckily, mild gum disease can be treated easily by a dental professional, provided it is caught early and treated quickly. During your periodontal assessment, your dentist will speak with you and create a treatment plan to help your gums heal and make your smile healthy again.

In the case of mild gingivitis, your dentist may recommend changes to your oral health care routine, along with a hygiene appointment to remove plaque. 

In more advanced cases, we may need to perform a scale and root planing procedure. This is where we remove the plaque below the gumline, and then smooth the surfaces to reduce future build-up. 

In cases of severe periodontitis that affects the bone beneath the gum, you may need a more surgical approach performed by a periodontist to remove tartar deep below the gum. 

Your dentist may also recommend special mouthwashes or prescribe antibiotics to reduce infection. 

Though you might see signs of your gums returning to normal within just a few weeks, maintaining healthy teeth and gums is a gradual process and it may take several appointments to make your smile healthy again. After you have had treatment for gum disease, it’s important to maintain your smile with regular hygiene appointments at least twice a year – ideally every 3-6 months. 

Is Periodontal Treatment Painful? 

Both the assessment process and treatment process for gum disease is slightly invasive. You might experience minor bleeding, discomfort and pain during treatment, and you will likely feel sore for a few hours afterwards. 

If you are concerned about the pain, your dentist may decide to perform the treatment under a local anaesthetic to numb the treatment area, or you may wish to consider our options on IV sedation. 

How Much Does Periodontal Treatment Cost?

The price of treatment for gum disease varies based on the severity of your case. 

If you have healthy gums, your dentist may just recommend professional cleaning as a preventative measure, the prices of which can be found on our hygiene treatments page. 

If you have periodontitis, our treatment costs are priced per sextant.