Protect Your Teeth – Blitz Gum Disease with Good Brushing

The short answer is that plaque causes gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can result in tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is so serious it is the main cause of tooth loss in the UK.

However, the good news is it’s easy to keep plaque in check and there are plenty of warning signs to alert people to the presence of gum disease in their mouths.

Swollen gums, a sore mouth and, the main giveaway, blood when brushing your teeth are a good indication that you are suffering from gum disease.

But before alarm bells start going off, it is worth noting that gum disease is a widespread problem that affects 3 out of 4 adults aged over 35.

And rather than being a health lottery, there are plenty of measures each and every one of us can take to keep our gums healthy and disease-free.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a condition caused by inflammation of the supporting structures that hold your teeth in place. This can include the gums and the jaw bone. When bacteria is able to build up, it can attack the gums and cause inflammation. When inflamed, the gums recede, leaving the teeth even more vulnerable.

When left unchecked, gum disease will cause tooth loss as it becomes more widespread. While early gum disease can be treated and reversed, as it becomes more advanced, it won’t be curable and we can only manage the condition to prevent it from getting any worse.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

The first line of defence is education. By knowing the early signs of gum disease, you can take action to help stop it from spreading after further. If you notice any of the following signs, it’s time to visit the dentist or dental hygienist for advice and support. The most common signs of gum disease are:

• Bleeding when brushing teeth

• Bleeding gums

• Swollen, sore gums

• Bad breath

• Inflamed or irritated gums

• Teeth feeling loose

The early stages of gum disease are known as gingivitis. It is caused when bacteria from plaque – which takes the form of a sticky film on teeth – is not cleaned away and gets trapped between teeth. This bacteria can cause gums to swell and recede, creating gaps. If this becomes serious enough teeth can become loose and eventually fall out.

How to prevent and treat gum disease

The best way to avoid – and treat – gum disease is by following a thorough brushing routine. Brushing teeth twice a day and flossing at least once should help to rid gums of gingivitis.

Specialist mouthwashes can also be used, while a professional ‘deep clean’ by a dentist will remove stubborn plaque that is resistant to brushing. Maintaining this daily dental routine should help to prevent repeat occurrences of gum disease.

If you’re not sure if you are brushing correctly, you can use plaque disclosure tablets after you brush. These will stain the plaque blue, so you can see any parts of your mouth that you may have missed.

If your teeth are not aligned correctly, you might find that your teeth are more difficult to keep clean. This is because the gaps in your teeth will harbour bacteria and you might struggle to reach these areas with your toothbrush.

Advanced gum disease

Once gum disease has reached a serious stage where bacteria has infiltrated the bones supporting teeth it becomes known as periodontitis and needs specialist care.

A periodontist will attempt to remove deep-seated plaque, while antibiotics and even surgery could be needed to control such serious gum disease. Your dentist might recommend a gum graft to help restore some of the gum tissue that has been lost.

It’s also possible to temporarily lift the gums and clean the roots of your teeth, which can help to prevent the spread of bacteria to the bone.

How can you reduce the risk of gum disease?

It’s vital to commit to daily brushing and caring for your teeth. Every time you forget to brush, you are allowing plaque to build up and attack the gums. Forgetting once might not be a big deal, but if this becomes a habit, then you can expect the impact to be seen in your gum health.

You should also think about quitting smoking, as this will contribute to gum disease and make it more difficult to treat it. Smoking is responsible for half of all cases of gum disease. It creates the ideal conditions for gum disease to spread, first by making your mouth drier, and then by reducing oxygen in your blood, so your gums won’t heal effectively.

Make sure you visit the dentist regularly, and start adding in trips to the dental hygienist if you don’t already. A deep cleaning from a dental hygienist can help you to hit reset on your oral health, which can ensure that your efforts cleaning your teeth at home will be more effective. Regular dental checkups can also help you to protect your teeth as your dentist will be able to act quickly before the more advanced signs of gum disease are visible.

Worried about gum disease? Contact Bhandal Dentistry for advice. Book a consultation with our team to find out more about treatment plans available.