Paula Reed NEBDN
GDC: 125402
DENTAL THERAPIST & ORTHO DHT
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Understand your gums. Know what happens next.
If your gums bleed, your breath worries you or your teeth have started to feel loose, you want to know what’s wrong and whether it can be treated. You want to keep your teeth, feel comfortable in your mouth and stop worrying about what might happen next.
At Smileworks, looking after gums is part of what we do every day. We’ll listen, check what’s happening and explain what we can do to help. You’ll understand what treatment involves, what it will cost and how to look after your gums at home.
It doesn’t matter how long it’s been since your last appointment. You don’t need to fix anything before you come and you don’t even need to be feeling brave. We’ll help you from here.
Perhaps you’ve noticed blood when you brush. Perhaps your breath doesn’t feel fresh, even after cleaning or your gums have started to shrink back from your teeth. You may have been told you have gum disease without really understanding what that means.
These are all good reasons to book an appointment. Gum disease can develop without much pain so waiting until it hurts can mean waiting too long.
Look out for:
Symptoms alone cannot tell you how advanced the problem is. An examination gives us a clearer picture and gives you a plan. Gum disease is very common and we see it every single day at Smileworks. No judgements. No problem.
Gum disease starts with inflammation around the teeth. Plaque, the soft film of bacteria that forms on teeth, irritates the gums when it is not removed effectively. Plaque can also harden into tartar, which needs professional cleaning.
There are two main forms: gingivitis, which affects the gums, and periodontitis, which also damages the tissues and bone supporting the teeth. Knowing which you have matters because the treatment and long-term care are different.
Cleaning matters, but it isn’t the whole story. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes and a family history of gum disease can increase your risk. Some medicines affect your mouth too, including by making it dry.
We’ll ask about your health, medication and home routine so our advice fits you. Tell us what you find difficult. That’s how we work out what will help.
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums without loss of the bone supporting your teeth. Your gums may bleed or feel swollen, although it can be painless.
It can usually be reversed with effective daily cleaning and professional cleaning where needed. We’ll show you how to reach the areas you’re missing and help you choose brushes that fit.
Periodontitis is the more serious form. Inflammation damages the support around your teeth, and deeper spaces called periodontal pockets can develop between the teeth and gums.
Treatment aims to bring the disease under control and protect the support you still have. Routine treatment does not replace lost bone, but many people can keep their teeth for years with effective treatment and ongoing care. We can explain your outlook once we’ve examined you.
We start by listening to your concerns and examining your teeth and gums. We check for bleeding and measure the spaces around the teeth. We may recommend X-rays to assess the supporting bone.
We’ll explain the findings in plain English, including which areas need attention and whether any teeth are at particular risk.
Your plan depends on the type and extent of the disease. It may involve professional cleaning and changes to your home routine, or a course of deeper cleaning beneath the gums. We’ll discuss the appointments, likely costs and expected benefits before treatment begins.
We use appropriate instruments to remove plaque and hard deposits from the teeth and, where needed, the root surfaces beneath the gums. Deeper cleaning may be spread across several visits. Local anaesthetic can numb the areas being treated.
Airflow dental cleaning can help remove biofilm and staining where suitable. It is one part of our cleaning toolkit; it does not replace the deeper treatment some patients need.
After a healing period, we reassess your gums and compare the measurements. We’ll explain what’s improved and whether any areas need more treatment. Some people need specialist assessment or gum surgery; if that applies to you, we’ll discuss the next step.
Periodontitis needs ongoing care. We’ll recommend a maintenance schedule based on your risk and how your gums respond, alongside a home routine you can manage. Your hygiene appointments help us monitor changes and tackle problems early.
Tender gums can make you nervous about having them cleaned. Tell us if you’re worried or have had an uncomfortable experience before. We’ll explain each step, agree when you need a break and use local anaesthetic where appropriate.
After deeper cleaning, some tenderness or sensitivity is possible. As swelling settles, teeth may look longer or spaces between them may become more noticeable. We’ll talk through these changes and how to manage them, so you know what to expect.
You’ll be cared for by a team who spend their working days helping people look after their teeth and gums. We take time to explain what we find and show you what to do next.
Our dental therapists, hygienists and dentists work together so your gum care fits the rest of your dental treatment. If you need specialist input, we’ll explain why.
DENTAL THERAPIST & ORTHO DHT
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Dental Therapist
read moreThe cost depends on how much treatment you need. An assessment helps us tell you whether routine hygiene care is enough or whether you need a course of periodontal treatment. We’ll explain the costs before you decide.
You can see our current dental fees and dental membership options. We’ll explain what a suitable plan covers and whether any treatment would be charged separately.
You don’t need a bathroom full of gadgets. You need a routine that reaches the right places, with tools you know how to use.
Brush twice a day for at least two minutes using fluoride toothpaste, including along the gumline. Spit out afterwards without rinsing. Clean between your teeth every day with correctly sized interdental brushes or floss, as advised by your dental team.
If your gums bleed, arrange a check and keep cleaning gently. Don’t scrub harder or avoid the area. We’ll show you the right technique for your mouth.
Mouthwash does not replace brushing or cleaning between teeth. We’ll tell you if a particular rinse would be useful and how long to use it.
Download our 2026 gum health guide for a simple explanation of symptoms, treatment and daily care.
Your medical history helps us plan your care. Diabetes and gum disease can affect one another, so tell us if you have diabetes and how it is being managed. Stopping smoking can also improve your response to gum treatment; we can help you find support.
Research has found links between periodontitis and some other health conditions. A link does not mean gum disease directly causes every condition associated with it. The clear reason to treat your gums is to control disease and protect your teeth.
Gum health comes first. If you have active periodontitis, it needs to be stabilised before orthodontic treatment. Your clinician will advise when it is appropriate to proceed and how to keep your gums healthy during treatment.
Saving teeth is the aim wherever it is realistic. The outlook depends on how much support each tooth has lost and how it responds to treatment. We won’t promise to save every tooth, but we will explain what can be done before you make decisions. If a tooth cannot be kept, we’ll discuss extraction and your options afterwards.
Daily cleaning is essential and can help reverse gingivitis. Periodontitis needs professional assessment and treatment as well as home care. Brushing alone cannot remove hardened deposits below the gums or replace lost support.
Some people need a relatively simple course of care; others need several appointments and a review after the gums have had time to heal. Periodontitis then needs long-term maintenance. We’ll explain your likely timetable after assessment.
Most gum treatment centres on cleaning, daily plaque control and managing risk factors. Antibiotics are used selectively when clinically appropriate, not as a routine replacement for cleaning.
Yes, if you have bleeding, persistent bad breath, recession or changes in your teeth. Gum disease can be painless, even when it is damaging the support around them.
Yes. Decay, a tooth infection or inflammation around a wisdom tooth can also cause pain, swelling or a bad taste. An examination helps us find the cause. Where appropriate, we can explain tooth fillings, root canal treatment or wisdom tooth care.
Ask for an urgent dental appointment if your gums are very sore or swollen, a tooth has become loose, or you think you have an abscess. If swelling makes it difficult to breathe or swallow, call 999 or go to A&E. If you cannot reach a dentist for urgent advice, call NHS 111.
You don’t need to know how serious it is before you book. That’s what the appointment is for. Tell us what’s worrying you and we’ll help you understand your options.
Call 0151 236 5166, ask us a question or book online.