Aim:    

• To stop further gum damage

How:   

• Explain and illustrate existing gum problem
• Gum screening to establish current level of disease
• Establish a Home-Care Programme
• Cleaning and polishing above and below gum-line
• Motivate YOU to carry out good Home-Care

Visit 1
Explanation of problem - with illustrations and your mouth level of disease measured -
plaque score*, bleeding score**, pocket measures, plaque retentive factors, gum recession
Home-Care Instruction (step 1) - toothbrush technique, type of toothbrush (electric, manual), size and shape
Scaling (cleaning) of teeth above gum-line

Visit 2
Plaque score and bleeding score to monitor progress
Home-Care Instruction (step2) - review toothbrush technique, instruct in use of floss, type of floss, general advice on home-care products (other cleaning aids and rinses) Scaling of teeth below gum-line and apply medicaments (antibiotics etc.) where indicated.

Visit 3
Plaque score, Bleeding score
Review Home-Care Technique
Complete scaling and polishing below gum-line, re-apply medicament

Visit 4
Plaque score and Bleeding score
Review Home-Care Technique
Prophylaxis
Establish maintenance follow-up* * *

Level of disease at any one time is measured by

• * plaque score = the amount of plaque measured on your teeth and expressed as a %score
• ** bleeding score the amount of bleeding from the gums also expressed as a % score The aim is to achieve < 10% plaque levels and 0% bleeding level.
  

At the maintenance follow-up visit (e.g. 3-monthly, Hygiene Review) the following is carried out:

• Plaque score, bleeding score
• Re-evaluate gum condition and retreat any persistent problem areas review Home-Care techniques
  Scaling and polishing
• Maintenance follow-up