Did you know that gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss for adults in the UK? The good news is that gum disease is preventable. If you have signs of gum disease, we can help. We can also provide information to help you keep symptoms at bay if you’re keen to learn more about preventing gum disease.
Preventing gum disease
The best scenario is always to prevent gum disease from developing in the first place. Gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque contains harmful oral bacteria, which release acids when they feed. These acids irritate your gums and cause them to become sore and inflamed. The best way to prevent plaque from forming is to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day using fluoride toothpaste for at least 2 minutes. We also recommend flossing, and avoiding eating foods and drinks that are high in sugar. Regular dental visits will also help to reduce your risk of developing gum disease. If you’re a smoker, you can also lower your risk by quitting smoking. If you’d like to try and give up, we can help, so don’t think twice about getting in touch.
Watching out for the symptoms of gum disease
The problem with gum disease is that it can develop fairly quickly, and that’s why it’s so important to be aware of the early warning signs. If you have mild gum disease, or gingivitis, we can treat this with hygiene treatments and better oral hygiene at home. If gum disease isn’t treated, it becomes more serious and it can eventually lead to tooth loss. The most common signs to watch out for include:
- Bleeding gums (you’ll usually notice this when you brush your teeth)
- Swollen gums
- Increased redness in the gums
- Tenderness and pain in and around the gums
If you spot these signs, call us and book an appointment. We will do our best to prevent any further damage and have your gums healthy again as quickly as possible.
