In the UK, gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss, and as a gum specialist and implant dentist at The Gentle Dental Care Group in South London, my primary motivator is to help patients manage this insidious, chronic condition. Gum disease does not typically cause pain in its initial stages and therefore, it is often underappreciated and overlooked by patients until it enters its more progressive and detrimental stage. The effects of gum neglect were very apparent post pandemic, whereby many patients came back to our surgery following the prolonged 2020 lockdown period, suffering from symptoms related to the disease. The abstinence of regular dental and hygienist check-ups saw patients become less diligent about their oral health, particularly around cleaning teeth regularly and efficiently.
Education on oral hygiene has become a real priority for our patients in recent years. We spend a lot of time with our patients going over the technique of brushing meticulously and skilfully, alongside the importance of paying particular attention to the area of the mouth where the gum and tooth join when brushing - this is where bacteria like to build up and cause problems, not just brushing the tooth surface itself. Hygienists have been instrumental in helping us achieve this support for patients.
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