How To Prevent Gum Disease

 

Did you know that gum disease is extremely common amongst Brits? So much so that 9 out of 10 people in the UK get gum disease during their lifetime! If left untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss and jawbone loss as well as serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

Gum disease is caused by poor dental hygiene which leads to a build-up of plaque around the gum line that infects the gums – causing swollen, sore and bleeding gums. If you spit blood whilst brushing your teeth, this isn’t normal and you should speak to your dentist as you may have gum disease.

Gum disease rears its ugly head in many ways.

Symptoms of gum disease to look out for in your everyday life include:

*Bleeding gums when brushing or eating

*Swollen, sore gums

*Bad taste in your mouth

*Bad breath

*Receding gums

*Loose teeth

You are more likely to get gum disease if:

*You are aged over 65

*You are a regular smoker

*You are under a lot of stress

*You clench or grind your teeth

*You are overweight

*You are pregnant

If you suspect that you have gum disease, it is crucial that you speak to your dentist and put a plan in place to stop your gum disease getting worse.

With so many of us getting gum disease and requiring treatment, how can we prevent gum disease?

Visit The Dentist

A recent study discovered that over 2 million Brits haven’t visited the dentist in over a decade, which is likely linked to the high volume of people with gum disease! It is crucial you visit the dentist on a regular basis so that they can ensure your smile is healthy and if not, your dentist can identify the early signs of gum disease before they become more serious.

Visiting your dentist every 6 months and booking yourself in for an appointment with the hygienist for a deep clean is a small price to pay for a healthy smile.

Improve Your Dental Hygiene

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day can often be the difference between a healthy smile and gum disease. It is crucial that you brush your teeth to remove food and plaque that may be stuck to the surface of your teeth and in between each tooth as this is what usually starts gum disease developing.

Electric toothbrushes are best for this; just ensure you use a soft brush head that doesn’t irritate your gums further. Follow your tooth brushing routine with flossing to ensure all food residue that may still be trapped between your teeth is removed.

Stop Smoking

We don’t need to tell you that smoking is bad for your health, but did you know that smoking is a leading cause of gum disease? Smokers have weaker immune systems than non-smokers, so it is harder for your body to fight off the gum infection and heal. Speak to your doctor about the best way to quit, your gums will thank you for it!

Find out how we treat gum disease.