With complaints such as red and bleeding gums, there may be gingivitis or periodontitis. These are forms of gum inflammation that must be treated as soon as possible by the dentist for periodontology or the dental hygienist. Timely treatment and an early diagnosis ensure that you no longer experience complaints while brushing, eating and drinking.
- Treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis
- Experienced dentists and prevention assistants
- Also open in the evenings for periodontology treatments
For information, please contact us on 030 760 1267 or info@tandartsutrecht.nl. New to our practice? Then simply register online.
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- What is periodontology?
- How is periodontitis treated?
- Costs and reimbursement
- Contact and opening hours
What is periodontology?
During a routine check-up, the dentist not only looks carefully at your teeth and molars, your gums are also checked. In the case of serious gum complaints, such as inflammations, the dentist or dental hygienist will start a treatment process to remedy these complaints. A periodontist specialises in treating gum inflammations. Specifically, we distinguish between two forms of gum inflammation: gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gingivitis
If the gum and the underlying jawbone are affected by plaque or tartar, this can result in gum inflammation. When there is gum inflammation, we call this gingivitis. An indication of this is red, swollen and bleeding gums.
Periodontitis
If the supporting tissue around teeth and molars (the periodontium) is inflamed, this is periodontitis. This is an advanced stage of gum inflammation. You recognise periodontitis by far receded gums that are red and swollen and bleed.
Periodontology therefore covers the part of dentistry that focuses on the health of the periodontium: the gums and tissue around teeth and molars. With both gingivitis and periodontitis, dental treatment is necessary to prevent the loss of teeth and molars.
What is the cause of gum inflammation?
Plaque that stays behind on teeth and molars and attaches between the teeth and at the edge of the gum is one of the causes of gum inflammations. While brushing, it is difficult to also remove plaque between and at the lower edge of the teeth. Plaque that stays behind hardens into tartar, to which new plaque easily attaches. As a result, the gum is increasingly affected, which can ultimately result in loss of jawbone.
Keeping your gums healthy
To prevent gum problems and maintain healthy gums, your own oral hygiene is the most important. In addition, regular, professional dental cleaning plays an important role. We therefore recommend cleaning your teeth using aids such as dental sticks and dental floss and a periodic visit to the dentist and prevention assistant.
How is periodontitis treated?
In the case of periodontitis, careful cleaning of root surfaces is important and additional treatments may be needed, in which the gum is lifted (‘flapped’) and the root surfaces are cleaned directly. In line with this are tissue-restoring techniques to correct the gum and the underlying jawbone.
To cure periodontitis, the dentist and/or prevention assistant gives you, in addition to a professional cleaning, instructions for good oral hygiene. Following these instructions determines the success of the treatment. Without good self-care, the healing process takes much longer. Therefore, be aware that you will have to follow the oral hygiene instructions to remedy your gum problems and also to prevent them in the future.
The most important steps during the periodontology treatment
- Intake and periodontal oral examination in combination with X-rays and oral hygiene instructions from the dentist or prevention assistant
- Periodontal therapy in which the tooth and root surfaces are cleaned
- Periodontal re-evaluation
- Additional surgical therapy if necessary
- Evaluation of the treatment and aftercare for monitoring and prevention of gum problems
Costs and reimbursement of periodontology treatment
The costs of periodontology treatments are reimbursed from the basic health insurance for young people up to the age of 18. For people aged 18 and over, the costs are not reimbursed from the basic health insurance and often only partly by supplementary health insurance. The reimbursement depends on your policy conditions, which is why we recommend always enquiring about this with your insurer before the treatment. For treatments above 150 euros, you receive a cost estimate from us.
Request a consultation
Are you in doubt about the health of your gums? Then contact us for a consultation with the dentist. The specialist will assess the health of your teeth and, if necessary, start a treatment process.
Frequently asked questions – Periodontitis
How do I know if my gums are inflamed?
Inflamed gums can often be recognised by changes in the colour, feeling and behaviour of the gums. Pay attention, for example, to the following signs:
- red or dark red gums instead of the normal light pink;
- swollen gums that no longer sit tightly around the teeth;
- bleeding gums while brushing, flossing or eating. Healthy gums should not bleed;
- bad breath or an unpleasant or metallic taste in the mouth;
- sensitive or painful gums when touched;
- receding gums;
- teeth or molars that start to feel looser.
Can poor oral hygiene cause periodontitis?
Yes. When plaque is not properly removed by brushing and cleaning the spaces between the teeth, bacteria can build up along the gum. This can first cause gum inflammation (gingivitis) and ultimately develop into periodontitis. Factors such as smoking, diabetes and heredity can increase the risk, but plaque is almost always the main cause.
Can inflamed gums go away on their own?
A mild gum inflammation (gingivitis) can sometimes recover on its own, especially when you improve your oral hygiene immediately. By removing plaque properly, the gum gets the chance to recover. With early gingivitis, the gum can improve within a few days to about one to two weeks.
If complaints such as redness, swelling or bleeding gums persist for longer than one to two weeks, it is wise to visit our dentist. In that case, there may be periodontitis, a more serious inflammation that does not heal on its own and needs treatment. Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes or insufficient oral hygiene can moreover slow down recovery.
Can I treat periodontitis myself?
No, you cannot fully treat periodontitis yourself. With this condition, tartar forms under the gum that can only be removed by a dentist or dental hygienist. Good oral hygiene at home remains important, though. By brushing carefully every day and cleaning the spaces between the teeth, you reduce plaque and keep your gums as healthy as possible. Nevertheless, professional treatment is necessary to properly tackle the inflammation and prevent further damage to the gum and jawbone.
Does a periodontal treatment hurt?
A periodontal treatment is usually well tolerated. During the treatment, we use a local anaesthetic, so that you usually feel little to no pain. Many patients mainly experience some pressure or slight sensitivity, but often find the treatment less unpleasant than expected beforehand.
After the treatment, the gum can be temporarily sensitive. In the first one to three days, you may experience, for example, slight after-pain, swelling or sensitivity when chewing. This is normal and usually disappears on its own. If necessary, a painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can provide relief, provided you are allowed to use it.
Can periodontitis come back after treatment?
Yes, periodontitis can come back when oral hygiene and aftercare are not properly maintained. Even after a successful treatment, it remains important to continue to take good care of the gums. If plaque is not removed daily by brushing carefully and cleaning the spaces between the teeth, bacteria can build up again. These bacteria can nestle again in the gum pockets and cause a new inflammation. In addition, lost jawbone usually does not or hardly recovers. As a result, the gum remains more susceptible to new inflammations.
How long does recovery after a gum treatment take?
After a gum treatment, the gum can be temporarily sensitive. Complaints such as sensitivity, slight swelling or pain when chewing usually disappear within one to two weeks. During this period, it can be pleasant to eat soft food and, if necessary, use a painkiller. When a surgical treatment has been carried out, the advice may be to temporarily not brush the treated area and to use a mouth rinse with, for example, chlorhexidine to let the gum heal calmly.
The gum itself needs more time to fully recover. Usually, a check-up is carried out after about three months to assess the result of the treatment and to measure the depth of the gum pockets again. In this way, we can closely monitor how the gum recovers.
Is a periodontal treatment reimbursed by insurance?
For children and young people up to the age of 18, a periodontal treatment is usually fully reimbursed from the basic health insurance. For adults aged 18 and over, this treatment is usually not covered by the basic health insurance. In that case, supplementary dental insurance can provide a (partial) reimbursement. Many supplementary packages reimburse about 75 to 100% of the costs up to an annual maximum amount. Exactly how much you are reimbursed depends on your policy and insurer.
Contact
Maliekwartier Tandartsen
Koningslaan 62
3583 GP Utrecht
Opening hours
Monday: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
Tuesday: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
Wednesday: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
Thursday: 08:00 am – 08:00 pm
Friday: 08:00 am – 04:00 pm
Weekend: Closed