I Understand the Role Of

irritate the gums and other PERIODONTAL supporting tissues, causing inflammation. Gingivitis is caused (GUM) DISEASE & by plaque, which forms on teeth near the gum margin. The plaque IT’S TREATMENT which causes periodontitis is different - it builds up in the Q What do healthy gums look pockets that form between gums like? and teeth as the disease gets worse. Some people are more A In a healthy mouth, gums are pink susceptible to gum disease than and do not bleed on others. toothbrushing. They are firm and cannot be easily separated from teeth. Q Can gum disease be controlled?

Q What is gum disease? A YES

A Gum disease is inflammation of  Careful brushing and flossing the tissues that support teeth and reduces the build up of plaque at attach them to the jaw. In the the gum margins and between the early stages the disease only teeth. involves soft gum tissue and is called gingivitis. Later, disease may spread to the bone and is  Regular dental visits supplement called periodontitis. your own efforts. Your dentist or hygienist can remove any plaque Nowadays, in the UK gum that has formed above and below disease is one of the the gum line. They can also commonest causes of tooth remove calculus(tartar). This hard loss in adults. deposit provides a good surface for plaque to grow on. Since Q What does gum disease look calculus resists normal brushing it like? needs to be professionally removed.

A This depends on the severity of  Existing gum disease can be treated if the disease. In gingivitis, the it is not too advanced. Where pockets gums are usually red and swollen, have formed the roots of teeth can be and often bleed during tooth cleaned and smoothed to allow the brushing. gum to reattach and the swelling to subside. This is called scaling and As the disease progresses, gums root planing. In deeper pockets it shrink and teeth may loosen as may be useful to reduce the bacteria bone underneath is destroyed. using antibiotics. In advanced Eventually some teeth may fall out disease, surgery to reshape the gum or have to be removed by your and bone can help to stabilise teeth dentist. and prevent them falling out. Surgery can also make it easier to remove Gum disease is often associated plaque and tartar from these sites. with bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Q What is Dentomycin?

Q What causes gum disease? A Dentomycin was launched in 1993 and has been successfully used in A Gum disease is caused by a thin more than 1.3 million patients layer of bacteria called plaque world wide. It is a gel that which builds up on teeth. These contains an antibiotic bacteria release poisons which (minocycline) which is active

Courtesy of Blackwell Supplies Limited against the bacteria that cause gum swelling can occur. If you periodontitis. experience these after Dentomycin treatment inform your Q Why is Dentomycin a gel? dentist or hygienist before your next appointment. In very rare A This allows the antibiotic to be cases, patients have reported applied directly into the pockets diarrhoea or an upset stomach. where bacteria are growing. This means effective concentrations at the Very rarely, some patients disease site and low concen-trations develop an allergic reaction to in the bloodstream to reduce the risk antibiotics. If you develop a of side effects. severe headache, rash or itching, shortness of breath or swelling of Q When is Dentomycin treatment the tongue following Dentomycin recommended? or other antibiotic treatment, contact your doctor or dentist immediately. A Dentomycin is used when gum tissue has detached from the teeth Q Is Dentomycin suitable for all to form obvious pockets. These patients? sites are more likely to get worse than shallower sites. Provided the gum disease is Your dentist or hygienist can sufficiently advanced, there are check for pockets using a special few patients who would not be probe, which is placed between suitable for Dentomycin treatment. the gum and tooth. Dentomycin should not be used in: Q What does Dentomycin  patients who are allergic to treatment involve? tetracycline antibiotics

Dentomycin is usually applied  patients with complete kidney after scaling and root planing. failure Your dentist or hygienist will apply Dentomycin to all affected sites, every two weeks for a total of  children under 12 years. three to four visits. In addition, since Dentomycin has You shouldn’t brush, floss, eat or not been tested on certain patient drink for at least two hours after groups it is unlikely that your Dentomycin treatment. dentist would want to treat:

Q What effect does Dentomycin  pregnant or breastfeeding treatment have? women

A Clinical studies have shown that  patients taking anticoagulants Dentomycin treatment reduces the (eg. Warfarin) bacteria that cause periodontitis and reduces the depth of treated pockets. These changes indicate  children over 12 years. an improvement in gum health. However, there may be occasions Q Are there any side effects? when Dentomycin is considered the most appropriate treatment. A Because it is applied direct to the You should discuss this fully with site, and not swallowed, your dentist prior to starting Dentomycin is a good way to treat treatment. It is important that you gum disease. Fewer side effects tell your dentist if you are have been reported than taking pregnant, trying for a baby, or if antibiotic tablets. Irritation and you are breastfeeding.

Courtesy of Blackwell Supplies Limited If you have any additional questions about gum disease and it’s treatment you should ask your dentist or hygienist.

Courtesy of Blackwell Supplies Limited