Gum disease typically presents as an occasional soreness and redness of the gums that develops into swelling and inflammation. Left untreated it can lead to tooth loss.

At Glow Dentistry…

We always take our time to ensure your comfort and ease with treatment
We are experienced in dealing with anxious and nervous patients
We pride ourselves on providing outstanding clinical treatments with pain-free techniques and positive outcomes
We produce a clear, written treatment plan, including all fees

Risk factors for periodontal disease

Smoking
Systemic conditions that impair the immune system, such as diabetes, HIV etc
Stress
Specific categories of medications, such as antihypertensives, immunosuppressants and anticonvulsant medications
Hormonal changes, as noted during puberty, pregnancy and the menopause

Signs and symptoms of periodontal disease

Inflamed gums
Bleeding gums
Swollen gums
Sore gums
Gum recession (so that teeth look longer)
Pus discharge between the gums and teeth
Bad taste and persistent bad breath (halitosis)
Teeth sensitivity, especially to cold
Teeth mobility
Increased spaces between teeth
Teeth that have changed position in the mouth (they have elongated, drifted or rotated)
Difficulty biting or chewing

Dr Effie Tsitoura Periodontist Specialist (Advanced Gum Disease)

Meet our periodontics specialist

Hi, I’m Dr Effie Tsitoura. I’m a dentist who specialises in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases that affect the gums and jawbone. I’m a passionate specialist and my focus is transforming my patients’ wellbeing by stabilising their teeth, eliminating bleeding or sore gums, and increasing self confidence. My treatments are bespoke, meticulously planned and highly specialised.

I will choose the appropriate treatment to bring the infection under control and help you to understand the causes of the gum problems to help prevent reoccurrence.

Read my full bio on the Glow Team Page

FAQs about Gum Disease

Periodontal (gum) disease is a bacterial infection of the tissues that support the teeth and hold them in place. The primary cause of periodontal disease is bacteria that accumulate on the tooth surface and form a sticky, colourless film called “bacterial plaque”. Toxins produced by bacteria in plaque irritate the gums, which become red, tender and swollen, and they are then more likely to bleed because they are inflamed. This condition is called gingivitis.

In patients susceptible to periodontal disease, if gingivitis remains untreated, it propagates to the underlying tissues. The produced toxins and enzymes destroy the supporting bone. Gums detach from the tooth surface and pockets are formed that can fill with plaque populated by more destructive anaerobic bacteria. This condition is called periodontitis and unless treated, the affected teeth are likely to become loose and can eventually be lost prematurely.

Periodontitis is the most common chronic inflammatory disease in humans.

If bacterial plaque is not removed from the tooth surface by thorough brushing, it calcifies and becomes a hard, rough and porous deposit called “calculus” or “tartar”. The presence of calculus on the tooth surface encourages the growth of bacterial plaque.

The primary cause of periodontal disease is the presence of virulent (very harmful) bacteria that usually develop in anaerobic conditions, combined with the individual’s susceptibility to periodontal disease.

Periodontal Disease and Diabetes

Patients with diabetes Type I and Type II are three times more likely to develop periodontal disease, while patients with periodontitis are at a higher risk of diabetes. It is more complicated to control diabetes when the patient is also suffering from periodontitis, while patients with both diseases are at a higher risk of severe medical complications.

Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease

There is scientific evidence to support a relationship between periodontal disease and increased risk of episodes of cardiovascular disease.

Periodontitis and Pregnancy

The presence of periodontitis in a pregnant woman may increase the risk of premature birth and of giving birth to an underweight child.

Consequences of avoiding treatment

Gum disease is not a problem that will go away and, if left untreated, there can be severe consequences.

Periodontal disease is a major cause of premature tooth loss, - which can have functional, psychological and financial implications.

Untreated gum problems can affect your general health. Scientific evidence suggests a relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Treatment for periodontal disease

There are a number of treatments available for periodontal (gum) disease. Our periodontal specialist, Dr Effie Tsitoura will discuss the available options for treatment with you and help you choose the best course of action. Here are some brief descriptions of the more common treatments. If you have any questions, Dr Tsitoura will be able to answer them.

Non-surgical Treatment

Non-surgical debridement (removal of plaque and tartar)

The initial aim of periodontal treatment is to arrest the progression of the disease by controlling the infection under the gums. This can be achieved by thorough non-surgical debridement, which involves thorough removal of bacterial plaque and calculus (tartar), above and under your gums.

An integral part of periodontal treatment is teaching you how to brush your teeth effectively. An excellent level of oral hygiene is essential to achieve favourable treatment outcomes.

Surgical intervention

In more complex cases, surgical interventions allow us to correct the anatomical consequences of the disease. There are two main types of surgical intervention:

The main objectives of this type of periodontal surgery is to eliminate residual subgingival infection, to further decrease the pocket depth and to establish favourable soft tissue anatomy that will help with self-performed oral hygiene.

This aims at the true regeneration of the supporting periodontal tissues that were lost due to periodontal disease. The periodontist will decide whether biomaterials, host modulators or a combination of the two should be used. These products will help regenerate lost tissues.

This aims at supporting the patient’s ongoing efforts to maintain treatment outcomes and ensure long-term periodontal (gum) health. This can be achieved if patients follow our tailor-made maintenance programme for professional cleaning.

Cosmetic periodontal treatments

A procedure used:

When there is tooth decay or tooth fracture that extends beyond the gum line, in order to expose sound tooth structure to facilitate restoration (filling) or crown placement.
When there is excessive display of gums that makes teeth look shorter, a condition known as “gummy smile”.
Prior to a major smile makeover procedure to help achieve a harmonious gumline, which is essential for an aesthetic smile.

This is a surgical procedure used to correct single or multiple gingival (gum) recessions, which have been created as a result of improper brushing techniques (usually overbrushing) in patients with otherwise healthy gum structure. Depending on local factors, a soft tissue graft harvested from the palate may also be used.

This is a surgical procedure utilised for the removal of an attachment called the frenulum that decreases the range of motion of the lips or of the tongue. In some patients, a labial frenectomy can close the gap between the front teeth.

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Name: Glow Dentistry
Address: 91 Heath Street, Hampstead, London, NW3 6SS
Telephone: 0207 433 3252

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