Gum disease is increasingly prevalent in British adults, caused by their lack of care towards gums. Want to keep all of your teeth? Now is the time to start giving your neglected gums the attention they need.
Most people know little to nothing about gum disease. It is one of the most preventable illnesses, yet the leading cause of tooth and bone loss in adults. All it takes to maintain a healthy mouth is brushing and flossing every day, coupled with periodic visits to your dentist in Stevenage for routine cleaning.
How do people get gum disease?
Your mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria, some are harmless while others emit toxins that damage your teeth and gums. The germs contained in plaque, the sticky film that clings to your teeth after you eat, produce acid from the sugar particles found in food that attack your teeth and aggravate your gums.
It does not take long for the plaque sticking to your teeth to harden, approximately 24 hours. Forgetting to brush your teeth for a mere day will make the task of cleaning your teeth more challenging, so you might imagine the consequences of not taking adequate care of your teeth for an extended period. Plaque builds up on the teeth and above and below the gum line and calcifies into tartar, and if the disease is in its advanced stages, spreads to the tissue and bone potentially causing irreparable damage.
What can I do today to prevent the onslaught of gingivitis?
The simplest thing you can do to avoid contracting gingivitis is to brush your teeth properly using the correct techniques twice a day.
People consider flossing as an optional extra, which is a mistake. Flossing removes the germs left behind after brushing, which is roughly 35% of the bacteria in your mouth. You can brush your teeth thoroughly but still develop gingivitis because you do not floss.
See your dentist every six month – regular check-ups are likely to minimise your risk of contracting the infection because your dentist will pick up on small issues before they turn into bigger ones.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
Telltale signs of the infection include:
- Inflamed gums that are red, tender and bleed easily
- Bad breath
- Pain when chewing as the disease progresses, as well as sensitivity to cold, hot and hard food.
- Deep pockets between the gums and teeth – the deepening of the pockets occur in the more advanced stages of the disease and can have devastating effects if not treated immediately.
- Receding gums
How is gum disease treated?
Every day plaque can be easily removed with regular brushing but removing tartar without the necessary equipment is impossible because it becomes so tightly bound to your tooth.
You will need to see a dentist in Stevenage for it to be removed in a professional cleaning.
A scaling and root planning is the treatment you will undergo to remove all bacteria, plaque and tartar deposits from your mouth, and smooth your roots so that they can securely reattach to your teeth.
Not looking after your gums will cost you dearly in the long run. Chat to your dentist about brushing techniques and tips on how to keep your gums healthy.
