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4 Things You Need to Know About Gum Disease
This article highlights the importance of gum health and explains why gum disease should not be ignored. While many people focus primarily on their teeth, the gums play a crucial role in supporting them and are vulnerable to the same harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay. The article explains that untreated gum disease can progress beyond swollen or bleeding gums and have serious consequences for both oral and general health. Gum disease is caused by plaque, a film of bacteria that forms when oral bacteria feed on sugars in food and drink. While plaque can be removed easily with good brushing habits, it hardens into tartar if left untreated. Tartar cannot be removed at home and requires professional dental care. Both plaque and tartar irritate the gums and can eventually damage the jawbone. One of the dangers of gum disease is that early stages are usually painless. Mild redness, swelling, or bleeding may occur, but many people don’t realise they have a problem until it becomes more advanced. The article stresses the importance of checking your gums regularly and attending routine dental appointments. If gum disease is ignored, it will worsen over time. Early gum disease, known as gingivitis, is easy to treat with improved oral hygiene. However, untreated gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, where deeper pockets of tartar form, the jawbone is affected, and teeth may loosen or be lost altogether. The article concludes by emphasising that preventing gum disease is straightforward. Regular dental check-ups, good daily oral hygiene, flossing, mouthwash use, professional hygiene appointments, a low-sugar diet, and avoiding smoking or vaping all significantly reduce the risk. Harley Private Dental encourages patients to book routine check-ups and hygiene appointments to protect their gum health.
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4 Things You Need to Know About Gum Disease
When thinking about your oral health, it’s easy to focus all of your attention on your teeth. But the gums that support your teeth are very important too. Just like your teeth, they can be harmed by the same bacteria that causes tooth decay.
You may have heard of gum disease. It’s easy to dismiss gum disease as having swollen, red, or bleeding gums. But there’s more to it than that. Untreated gum disease can have a severe knock-on effect on your general health.
So, what do you need to know about gum disease?
Top Four Facts About Periodontal Disease to Help You Take Better Care of Your Gums
We’ve compiled the top four facts about periodontal disease to help you learn to take better care of your gums.
1. Gum Disease Is Caused By Plaque
Just like tooth decay, the cause of gum disease is bacteria that naturally live in the mouth. These bacteria feed on sugars in your food and drink and create a film that coats your mouth. This is called plaque.
The great news is that plaque is easy to get rid of. Just brush your teeth thoroughly and often. The bad news is that left to its own devices, plaque hardens to become tartar. Tartar cannot be removed at home. You’ll need to see your dentist for that.
Plaque and tartar don’t just damage your teeth. They’ll inflame your gums and eventually harm your jaw.
2. Early Gum Disease Doesn’t Usually Hurt
When you first get gum disease, you may notice your gums are a bit red, inflamed, or even bleeding. Usually, this isn’t very painful. Lots of people don’t even notice they’ve got gum disease until it starts getting worse.
Regularly checking your gums for changes while you’re brushing your teeth will give you a headstart on fighting the symptoms of gum disease.
3. Gum Disease Will Get Worse If It’s Not Addressed
The bleeding gums are just the start of periodontal disease. This initial stage is called gingivitis. It’s easily treated by improving your oral hygiene.
Left untreated, gingivitis becomes periodontitis. As tartar pockets form in the gums, the jaw will also be affected. Eventually, your teeth will start to work loose.
In advanced cases, many people lose their teeth or have to have them extracted.
4. Preventing Gum Disease Is Easy
The earlier you spot gum disease, the easier it is to treat it. But, prevention is always easier than treatment. A twice-yearly dental checkup will allow us to spot the early signs of gum disease and put a plan in place to treat it.
You'll dramatically reduce the risk of gum disease by brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day, flossing, using mouthwash, and visiting the dental hygienist for a regular scale and polish.
In addition to this, you should limit the amount of sugar you consume and avoid smoking and vaping.
Book Your Check-Up Now
We’re committed to every aspect of your oral health at Harley Private Dental. To prevent gum disease, schedule your dental hygiene appointment or routine checkup now.
