Periodontics FAQs

What are the signs of CIPD in the mouth?

One of the most important things to know about CIPD is that it can be completely symptom free. The disease process tends to follow an intermittent path over many years and often a person is entirely unaware that they are affected until the disease has reached more advanced stages. This is why regular dental check-ups are important so that CIPD and other dental diseases can be identified and treated in their earliest stages.
When CIPD is established in the mouth there is progressive attachment loss around teeth. One of the most common developments is that gum pockets form between the gum and the side of the tooth. The gum may look exactly the same as before but if your dentist uses a special probe to check between the gum and the tooth, the probe can be pushed down further than normal into the pocket. Gum pockets then seem to exacerbate the CIPD problem as it is so difficult for you to keep these areas clean using a toothbrush and floss at home. Late stage CIPD can give other symptoms such as loose teeth, teeth drifting and also the gums receding exposing the roots.

How can CIPD be treated?

The first and most important stage of treatment is diagnosis of CIPD. Once this has been diagnosed it is important to check any systemic risk factors such as diabetes or smoking. If these risk factors can be modified then that is the next step. With diabetes it is vital that this is well controlled and liaising with your GP can help here. For smokers, giving up is vital. Various aids to this are available and again liaising with your GP to arrange these can make all the difference.

The cornerstones of effective treatment of CIPD are consistently excellent oral hygiene, the cleansing of the affected root surfaces to remove infected and toxin containing material, and the reduction in specific types of bacteria whose presence is associated with CIPD.

There are various treatment protocols but one of the most common is called root planing. In this treatment your periodontist or hygienist will treat your teeth using a combination of ultrasonic and hand instruments to debride and cleanse your roots. This is often carried out with local anaesthesia.

Once the initial treatment to stabilise your gum health has happened it is vital that an individually tailored program of longer term care and maintenance of your gum health is followed to avoid a recurrence of CIPD.

Should I be concerned that my upper front teeth have moved over the last year and have developed spaces between them?

The first thing to do is get a dentist to examine you as soon as possible so that the reason for your tooth movement can be diagnosed. There are various reasons why your teeth may have moved, one of the commonest is drifting due to loss of attachment in periodontal disease. It can also be due to other causes and so a dental check-up is vital here.

Should I be concerned that my gums bleed when I brush my teeth?

The most common reason for gum bleeding is as a result of gingivitis where the gums are inflamed due to irritation from dental plaque bacteria. Why not book an appointment to see your dentist so you can have this diagnosis confirmed and learn about effective treatments?

My mother lost all her teeth at a young age and I have had several of my teeth extracted due to gum problems – can these run in families?

Yes – it is now clear that proximately 10% of the population are genetically more likely to suffer from various forms of gum disease – particularly Chronic Inflammatory Periodontal Disease. It is really important that you get the opinion of a periodontal specialist so that you can discuss the various options for treatment. Why not discuss a referral with your dentist?

Of course all treatment plans are specific to patients needs but the following Price Guide give and indication of our fees.