Spring is almost here and it’s time to plan holidays and start looking forward to hazy evenings and barbeques. The last thing you want this summer is to spend your days nursing sore gums and battling gum disease and this is why we are on a mission to banish gum disease for good!
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is a common oral disease caused by damaging bacteria that produce acids that aggravate the gums and cause them to become very painful and inflamed. Gum disease is largely preventable and in the early stages, it can be reversed fairly easily. However, it can become more advanced quite quickly and we always recommend early treatment.
Gingivitis is the milder kind of gum disease. The most common signs to look out for include bleeding gums (usually noticeable when you brush your teeth and spit into the sink), swelling and soreness. The advanced type of gum disease is known as periodontal disease or periodontitis and it is much more difficult to treat. This form of gum disease causes irreparable damage not just on the gums, but also to the bone tissue that works to support the teeth. Signs of advanced gum disease include pockets between the teeth and gums, loose teeth, abscesses, an unpleasant taste in the mouth and eventually tooth loss.
When to see a dentist
We recommend routine check-ups every six months, but if you spot potential warning signs of gum disease, it’s best to get in touch as soon as you can so that we can check your gums out and provide any treatment as soon as possible. If you notice bleeding or swelling, don’t wait until your next check-up. Call us and we will book you in as soon as possible. This way, we can make sure that any problems are treated before the situation gets worse.
Preventing gum disease
At Liverpool Dental Spa, we aim to offer our patients the best possible chance of achieving healthy teeth and gums. We urge patients of all ages to attend regular dental checks-ups, we offer preventative and oral hygiene treatments and we are always here to offer advice about oral hygiene at home, foods to avoid for good oral health and giving up smoking.