Periodontics at Caring Dental
Preventing and treating gum disease
Gum health relies on a good routine at home, including regular brushing, flossing and interdental cleaning, along with regular routine visits to your dentist and hygienist.
At Caring Dental, our focus is always on preventive care and advice, keeping your gums in good health and anticipating problems. However, patients with persistent or worsening gum conditions may also be referred for specialist advice and treatment from our expert periodontist.
What is periodontology?
Periodontology, or gum care, is the study and treatment of the tooth-supporting tissues including the gums, root cementum, periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone (in which teeth are rooted). The word comes from Greek: perí, meaning ‘around’ and odont, ‘tooth.’
A periodontist is a specialist dentist trained to help prevent, diagnose and treat periodontal diseases and conditions. They also provide a tailored preventive plan for you to follow, in conjunction with your hygienist, to give you the best support and care.
What are the signs, risks and causes of gum disease?
Gum disease can manifest as red, sore, swollen or bleeding gums. However, it is quite common for patients not to realise they have gum disease until diagnosed by their dentist or hygienist.
- Initially you may develop gingivitis or ‘gum inflammation’. At this stage, gingivitis is usually reversible, so regular check-ups are important. However, if left untreated, the condition of the gums worsens and can affect the periodontal tissues that support the teeth. This is known as periodontal disease, which is more serious and can lead to drifting of teeth, gum shrinkage (recession), gaps between teeth, recurrent infections, bad breath and loss of teeth.
- Unfortunately, a percentage of patients will be susceptible to gum disease simply due to genetics, or conditions such as diabetes. However, there are a number of lifestyle factors that can also cause gum disease, including poor oral hygiene and smoking. Find out more in our FAQs, below.
Periodontal treatment
At your regular examination appointments, your dentist will monitor the condition of the gums and offer you preventive care and guidance. They may also recommend that you see one of our hygienists, who will provide treatment and homecare advice to help keep your gums in the best possible condition. Caught early, most gum issues can be easily resolved with simple treatment and changes of habit.
Some patients are unfortunate to have more serious gum problems, which can also be looked after by our skilled hygienists. However, on some occasions, your dentist or hygienist might also refer you to our periodontist for more specialised care.
Specialist care from our periodontist
At Caring Dental, we are privileged to have Dr Charlotte Spedding, known as ‘Charlie’, as our periodontist. She is a highly regarded, experienced and caring specialist, and is passionate about helping patients improve their gum and dental health.
When you see Charlie for a consultation, she will conduct an initial assessment of your gum health, including a detailed examination and radiographs (X-rays) when necessary. She will share her findings and discuss treatment planning with you, outlining different options. This will be followed up with a written report and costings.
Read more about Charlie on our meet the team page.
To arrange a consultation, please contact our reception team on 01689 664600 or book online.
How to book for periodontics
You can book directly for a consultation with our specialists, or via a referral from your dentist.
- Referrals from other practices
At Caring Dental, we regularly see patients referred to us from other dental practices, where specialist care is needed or for complex cases. Your dentist can refer you to Caring Dental using our referral form. - Self-refer
If you would like to arrange an appointment yourself, please call us on 01689 664600 or use our online booking system.