Your Gum Health
As part of our comprehensive Oral Health Assessment we provide you with a score to indicate the overall health of your gums, good gum health is the foundation of a fresh and healthy mouth. The following guide explains how to interpret your gum health assessment and the treatments that can help you achieve perfect gum health. We are fortunate to have the services of Fiona McGinley RDH to provide you with advice and treatment for your optimum gum health.
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sample gum health chart
Healthy Gums
During your gum health exam we will use a special dental probe like the one shown, this measures the depth of the "pocket" between your gum and tooth, in general the deeper this pocket is the more severe the gum condition.
In good gum health this pocket will be no greater than 3.5mm and there should be no bleeding when the gum is probed. Bleeding is a sign of inflammation caused by plaque deposits which have not been properly removed form the gum line and in between the teeth.
A score of 0 indicates perfect gum health
Mild gum disease or gingivitis
A score of 1 indicates that your gums need attention with improved brushing and flossing. In this case there will be some bleeding after probing but the depth of the pockets around the teeth will be less than 3.5mm.
Our hygienist services can assist you with improving your gum health and returrning your gums to full health, the usual treatment will involve a cleaning of the gum margins to remove any plaque and follow up with good home care to ensure that plaque does not build up between the teeth or at the gum margin.
Moderate gum disease
If your gum health score is 2 this means that there are deposits of tartar built up on your teeth, damage is beginning to occur to the attachment of your tooth to the gum and jaw. Tartar is hardened plaque (bacteria) which is tightly stuck to your teeth, this cannot be removed by brushing and oral hygiene alone and needs 1 or 2 visits with your dentist or hygienist to remove and return the gums to health.
Severe gum disease or pyorrhea
When a score of 3 or 4 is recorded this indicates that you have severe gum disease, the teeth are likely loosended in their sockets as the attachement for the teeth is being lost, the depth of the pockets around the teeth is greater than 3.5mm and in the case of a 4 score greater than 5.5mm.
Treatment of severe gum disease involves deep cleaning of the root surfaces, usually under local anaesthetic, in some cases gum surgery may be needed and even extraction of the teeth in more severe cases.