Gum disease
If someone asked you what is the most common adult disease in the world, what would you say? Typhoid, Cancer, Malaria? In fact it’s a disease that affects about 80 % of the worlds adult population. GUM DISEASE.
Gum disease is caused by a sticky mass of germs that constantly forms on your teeth called plaque. It’s ALIVE! Eating and reproducing and then going to the toilet in your mouth spraying out acids which hurt your teeth and poisons which hurt your gums.
dental plaque
There are two main kinds of gum disease-
Gingivitis
This is the mild form of the disease. The gums are red, puffy and bleed easily, it is caused by poor cleaning. The plaque poisons start to hurt your gums, to help your body rushes extra blood bringing in good fighting cells. The only way your gums can cope with the extra blood is to swell up. That’s why when you brush they are so full they bleed. Gingivitis is reversible with good home care and regular hygienist appointments.
Periodontitis
This is when gingivitis has been left, the bone and gums that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. The gums separate from the teeth making pockets. As the disease progresses the pockets get deeper and more bone is destroyed. Very often this process goes unnoticed. Periodontitis is often not reversible but with good home care and regular hygienist treatments it can be successfully maintained.
| Warning signs | Things that can make gums worse |
| Bleeding and / or sore gums | Smoking-the most significant factor, the more you smoke the greater the gum destruction |
| Red and puffy gums | Diabetes |
| Gums shrinking away from teeth/td> | Medicines |
| Loose teeth / teeth falling out | Osteoporosis |
| Bad breath | Pregnancy and menopause |
| Spaces appearing between teeth | Stress |
| Catching food between the teeth | Previous Family History |
| Gum abscess |
Healthy gums should fit snugly around your teeth like a polo neck jumper and shouldn’t bleed when you clean them.
Home maintenance is very important
Electric toothbrushes - We love ETB as they are so much better at removing sticky germs.
In-between cleaning - a. Floss b. Tepes - like little loo brushes !
Hygienist maintenance Regular cleaning of the teeth and gums is proven to reduce the effects of plaque on gum disease. Also we check that your home care is achieving the best level of plaque removal and suggest helpful hints and tips to improve things.