Most of us probably think that we brush our teeth regularly and well. This might be true but it is likely that a fair percentage of those same people don’t pay the same attention to their gums. This is a relatively common mistake that people make, but one that can have significant adverse consequences.
In today’s blog, we are going to take a look at some of the damage that gum disease can cause, and its symptoms; along with some tips to help ensure that our Staines patients have not only healthy teeth, but healthy gums too.
Gum disease occurs when bacteria start to attack the soft tissue of the gums. This can produce some unpleasant symptoms such as bleeding or sore gums, as well as halitosis, or bad breath. The earlier stage where this can occur is called gingivitis and is generally reversible and manageable with some treatment and additional care.
The more advanced stage, known as periodontitis, is more serious and much more difficult to resolve. Not only are you likely to experience the above symptoms but at this stage, the jawbone is also attacked by the bacteria. This can cause it to become compromised and loose teeth and even tooth loss is quite possible. For those of you who have dental implants, a similar issue called ‘peri-implantitis’ can also occur and can lead to dental implant failure. As you can see then, it is important to take this seriously.
Although we can treat most dental problems, there is no doubt that prevention is the best option where possible. This is also the case with gum disease. Let us take a look then at some easy things to do that patients of the Clarence Dental Practice can carry out to benefit their gum health.
When you brush your teeth, both morning and evening, don’t just ‘flat brush’ the surface of the teeth but make sure that the bristles are angled so that they can reach into the gum line and help to remove small food particles and any bacteria that might be lurking there. This is a very good start. You should also use floss at least once a day. Both food and bacteria can easily become trapped between the teeth where the bristles of a toothbrush struggle to reach.
One of the best things that you can do to help prevent gum disease is to quit smoking if you currently do. Cigarette smoke irritates the gums and makes infection more likely. Nicotine also narrows the tiny blood vessels in the gums and slows down blood flow which would otherwise help any infections or cuts to heal. Finally smoking causes a dry mouth, which, as we will soon see, is very bad for your oral health. Although drinking alcohol in moderation is OK, if you drink heavily or drink too often, this can also be a risk too, so we advise that you monitor your alcohol consumption.
Staying well hydrated is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, saliva helps to flush away some of the bacteria on a regular basis. This will accumulate if your mouth is dry. Bacteria also multiply faster in a dry warm environment such as dry mouth. If you fail to stay hydrated you are much more likely to experience the symptoms mentioned previously.
In addition to the sensible preventative approach just mentioned, it is important that you see the dental hygienist every six months. This is an excellent way for our Staines patients to receive a professional clean of their teeth and gum line. This is especially important as, although you might take good care as noted above, some bacteria will still stick to the teeth, often combined with minerals in the saliva which forms a hard crust known as tartar or calculus. This creates a rough surface which becomes like a magnet for more bacteria to stick to. The tartar is near impossible to remove by brushing yourself and a professional clean by the hygienist, known as a scale and polish, is a great solution.
While most people should have a six monthly scale and polish to keep on top of their oral health, diabetics and others with a compromised immune system who are at a higher risk of gingivitis and periodontitis, may require this treatment more frequently, perhaps every three months. The hygienist will discuss this with you and put an appropriate schedule in place.
If you feel that perhaps you haven’t been looking after your gums as well as you could have been and don’t want to risk the symptoms and potential tooth loss sometimes associated with gum disease, why not contact the Clarence Dental Practice to book an appointment to see the hygienist? You can do this by calling us on 01784 63695.
Address: 21a Clarence Street, Staines upon Thames, Surrey, TW18 4SU
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