At Clifton Dental Studio in Bristol we offer a full range of general dental services for all the family, including the prevention, treatment and management of gum disease.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is one of the most common oral diseases. It occurs when the gums become inflamed as a result of irritation caused by harmful bacteria present in plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that is able to adhere to the surfaces of the teeth and gums. There are two types of gum disease: gingivitis, which causes the gums to become inflamed and sore, and periodontal disease, which causes damage to the tissues that support the teeth.
Although gum disease is very common, it is preventable and we live by the motto that prevention is always better than cure. We encourage out patients to attend regular dental check-ups and highly recommend dental hygiene sessions.
Spotting gum disease
Treating gum disease early is imperative, so it is important that you are aware of the warning signs. Symptoms of gum disease include bleeding, sore and red gums and swelling and tenderness in the gums.
If you notice these symptoms, it is important to see your dentist.
Treating gum disease
In cases of mild gum disease, good oral hygiene is usually sufficient treatment. However, periodontal disease is much more complex to treat and often takes several months. During the treatment process, patients are treated by dentists and dental hygienists and common therapies include regular cleaning treatments, root planing and scale and polish treatment, which removes plaque from the teeth and gum line. In cases where pockets have developed between the teeth and gums, intensive periodontal cleaning will be carried out to prevent the infection from spreading any further and to try to save the teeth.
If you noticed a cut bleeding on your arm, you’d probably do something to stop it immediately. However, many people ignore bleeding gums and this is why gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in British adults. The reality is that gum disease is preventable, and all you have to do is spend a few minutes each day giving your teeth and gums a bit of TLC to battle bleeding gums and prevent early tooth loss.
About gum disease
Gum disease is a very common oral disease, which is usually caused by plaque. Plaque is the sticky film made when food debris combines with saliva and bacteria. Plaque irritates the gums and when you eat, the acids released by bacteria also erode the enamel, increasing the risk of sensitivity and decay.
Thankfully, there is a very easy way to prevent plaque from forming and this involves devoting just five minutes of your day to your teeth and gums. Brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day helps to remove bacteria and food deposits from the mouth before plaque can develop, as well as ensuring your teeth look sparkly and clean.
Spotting the signs of gum disease
The most noticeable symptom of gum disease is bleeding when you brush, but you may also notice that your gums feel swollen and sore and they may also look redder.
If you notice the warning signs of gum disease, contact us so that you can see your dentist as quickly as possible.
Often, it will turn out to be nothing, but if you do have gum disease, seeing a dentist early ensures that it can be treated as early as possible. Gingivitis, the mild form of gum disease, is much easier to treat than periodontal disease, the advanced form of gum disease.
Gum disease can be very damaging, but it is preventable. At Clifton Dental Studio, we actively promote preventative dental care and provide effective gum disease treatment and management. We always believe that prevention is better than cure and there are some very simple ways you can reduce your risk of developing gum disease:
Brushing and flossing
Brushing is essential to remove bacteria and bits of food from your mouth. If bacteria are left to linger, they combine with saliva and food debris to form plaque, which is a major risk factor for gum disease and cavities. Brushing sweeps away bacteria and plaque and polishes the teeth to make them glow. Flossing is an important part of your daily oral hygiene routine because it targets the tiny cracks between your teeth and cleans the gum line.
Ideally, you should brush your teeth every morning and evening for at least two minutes each time. We recommend using fluoride toothpaste. Daily flossing is also hugely beneficial.
Seeing your dentist
Regular check-ups enable us to spot any early warning signs of gum disease and this means that treatment can be administered as early as possible. The mild form of gum disease, gingivitis, is easy to treat with good oral hygiene, but periodontal disease is much harder to manage. We recommend routine check-ups every six months.
Watch your diet
Your diet has a significant influence on your oral health. Foods that contain a lot of sugar increases the risk of dental diseases because bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugars and subsequently release acids, which attack the enamel and irritate the gums. Try to avoid eating excessive amounts of sugary foods and try to stick to three meals a day, rather than grazing during the day. Always wait around one hour after eating to clean your teeth to prevent damage to the enamel.
Spot the signs
Spotting the warning signs of gum disease helps to prevent the situation from getting worse. The most common signs to look out for include swollen, sore and bleeding gums. If you notice these symptoms, see your dentist as soon as you can.
This winter, we’re determined to get rid of gum disease for good and we’re encouraging all our patients to keep up to date with regular check-ups and take steps at home to reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
Periodontal disease is an advanced form of gum disease that causes irreversible damage to the gums and affects the stability of the teeth. Periodontal disease affects the bone tissue, which holds the teeth in place, eventually causing them to come loose. Periodontal disease usually develops when gingivitis, a mild form of gum disease, is left untreated.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is caused by harmful bacteria that release plaque acids that irritate the gums and result in them becoming sore, swollen and tender. Plaque acids are released by bacteria, which gather in the mouth as a result of poor oral hygiene. The risk of gum disease is also increased by smoking. Diet can also increase the risk of developing gum disease and we strongly recommend a healthy, balanced diet and avoiding consumption of sugary and acidic foods and drinks on a regular basis.
Preventing gum disease
Good oral hygiene is the best form of defence against harmful bacteria and we recommend brushing twice a day for at least 2 minutes each time, flossing and using inter-dental brushes. We also advise patients to stick to regular 6 monthly check-ups and to be vigilant for the warning signs of gum disease. Symptoms to look out for include inflammation, soreness and redness in the gums and bleeding gums. Advanced symptoms include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, loose teeth and the development of pockets between the teeth and gums. We also encourage our patients to keep an eye on their sugar intake.
If you notice any signs of gum disease, it’s really important to see your dentist as early as you can. Leaving gum disease untreated increases the risk of it becoming more serious and causing permanent damage to your teeth and gums.
When it comes to gum disease, it’s really beneficial to be aware of the danger signs, as mild gum disease can quickly become more advanced. Seeing your dentist as soon as you notice symptoms can help to prevent the problem from becoming more serious and ensure that you don’t have to endure painful and sore gums.
Spotting the warning signs of gum disease
The most common symptoms of mild gum disease, which is also known as gingivitis, include swollen and sore gums and bleeding when you clean your teeth. As gum disease becomes more advanced, symptoms tend to become more apparent and include redness, inflammation, pain and tenderness. In advanced cases, the gums recede and pockets develop between the teeth and gums.
What should I do if I think I have gum disease?
If your gums are sore or swollen or you notice blood when you brush your teeth, call us and arrange an appointment. If you do have gum disease, it’s best to treat it as early as possible to prevent it from becoming more severe. Mild gum disease is relatively easy to treat, but advanced gum disease causes irreversible damage to the bone structure that holds the teeth in place, meaning that they eventually come loose.
How can I prevent gum disease?
The best way of lowering your chances of developing gum disease is to maintain good oral hygiene. Your daily oral hygiene regime should include brushing and flossing. You should aim to brush every morning and every evening for at least 2 minutes each time, using fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily will help to remove bacteria and any leftover bits of food from the spaces between your teeth and ensure that your gum line is clean. We also recommend seeing a dentist every 6 months for a check-up and visiting our amazing dental hygienists.
Did you know that around three quarters of those over thirty five years of age in the United Kingdom are currently suffering from gum disease in some form? And did you know that gum disease is actually a greater cause of tooth loss than tooth decay itself? Gums need to be taken care of just as much as teeth to make sure that you don’t suffer the pain and indignity of losing a tooth.
Types of gum disease
The most common type of gum disease is called gingivitis. It is not serious in itself but, if left to progress, it can lead to worse problems. Gingivitis is signified by reddening of the gums and sometimes bleeding during brushing and pain while eating. It is easily avoided by pursuing the recommended routine of brushing and flossing twice a day, every day.
Periodontitis is a more serious condition that can occur if gingivitis is not dealt with. This is where the danger of tooth loss comes in as periodontitis is an extreme inflammation of the gums, which eventually leads to teeth becoming loose in their housings and falling out.
You can be vigilant for signs of gum disease at home by looking for reddening to the gums and being aware of any pain you experience when eating. Persistent breath or a metallic taste can indicate that gum disease is present. In extreme cases, sudden weight loss or a feeling that your teeth don’t quite fit as well as they used to can mean that gum disease has taken hold.
Looking for a cosmetic dentist? Bristol dentists are here to help
Carry on with your routine of having your teeth checked by your Bristol dentist every six months. This is the best way to guard against gum disease as they are trained to spot the early signs so that any problems can be dealt with early.
Oral hygiene is important for many reasons, not least the prevention of gum disease and decay. However, recent studies have shown that good oral hygiene is so important that it could actually save your life. Numerous studies have now shown that gum disease can increase the risk of life-threatening general health and systemic conditions, meaning that brushing your teeth has never been more important.
Oral hygiene and oral health
Brushing and flossing are effective ways of removing plaque, food debris and bacteria from your mouth and this not only lowers the risk of gum disease, bad breath and tooth decay, but also helps to keep your teeth looking bright and white. Without regular brushing, bacteria would gather inside the mouth and combine with leftover food to form plaque, the main cause of gum disease and cavities.
Oral health and general health
Gum disease and decay are nasty enough, but recent research has revealed that the bacteria responsible for gum disease can also increase the risk of systemic illnesses, including heart disease and strokes. Researchers believe that harmful bacteria can travel from the mouth to other parts of the body, increasing the risk of serious health problems.
Preventing gum disease
Aside from sticking to a diligent daily oral hygiene regime, it is also important to keep an eye on what you eat and drink and to remember to book a check-up with your dentist every 6 months. We also recommend regular oral hygiene sessions, which keep the mouth really clean and free from dangerous bacteria. Smoking is also a major risk factor for gum disease, as it reduces blood flow to the gums; giving up smoking will reduce your risk of gum disease, as well as a whole host of other conditions. If you need help with giving up smoking, we will be happy to offer information and advice.
If you have any questions about gum disease, decay, brushing or even choosing toothbrushes and toothpaste, do not hesitate to ask your dentist or give us a call.
Gum disease is an oral disease which causes the gums to become sore and inflamed. Although it is entirely preventable, it is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults in the UK.
We firmly believe that prevention is better than cure and we offer preventative dental treatment, as well as advice about oral hygiene and diet; however, we also provide effective treatment for patients who already have signs of gum disease.
How to spot gum disease
Gum disease is progressive condition, which means that it gets worse with time. Early diagnosis and treatment ensures that it does not get any worse. If you spot the symptoms of gum disease, call and make an appointment as soon as possible. If gum disease is left untreated, it causes damage to the gums, as well as the bone structure beneath, which will eventually result in the teeth coming loose and falling out.
The most common symptoms of gum disease include swollen and tender gums, redness and tenderness in the gums and bleeding, which is usually most noticeable when you clean your teeth.
Treatment for gum disease
Gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease, is usually treatable with good oral hygiene practises, including intensive cleaning to remove plaque from the gum line.
The more advanced form of gum disease, periodontal disease, is much more difficult to treat and requires very careful long-term management. Regular hygiene sessions are advised in tandem with good oral hygiene at home.
Of course, the best way to handle gum disease is to prevent it in the first place and you can do this by sticking to a good oral hygiene routine at home, visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and keeping an eye on what you eat.
Dr Gerrard is a Bristol based Cosmetic dentist with many years of experience and is one of only a small number of dentists accredited by The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
