Gum Health

Taking time to practise positive oral hygiene habits is a vital requirement to give your gums, teeth and jawbone a chance to last you a lifetime.

Regular check-ups are important not only for your teeth but additionally for:

• Keeping your breath fresh
• Maintaining healthy bone density
• Keeping your teeth whiter by removing stubborn stains, plaque and tartar
• Maintaining healthy gums

In combination with brushing properly twice daily and flossing you are able to maintaining positive oral and overall health. However…

By practicing poor oral hygiene and avoiding regular check-ups, you could be exposing yourself to disease.

The longer plaque and tartar is left on your teeth, the more susceptible you become to infections. This is because plaque and tartar is riddled with hundreds of bacteria that can slip in-between the gaps of your teeth, and left untreated, can lead to gingivitis or periodontal (gum) disease.

Gingivitis and periodontal disease – Understanding the difference

Although the two are believed to be closely entwined, gingivitis and periodontal disease have a host of different symptoms.

Gingivitis most commonly occurs because of bacteria accumulation on the teeth that has damaged the gingival (gum) health.

Gingivitis is a relatively treatable problem that can usually be fixed by practicing healthy oral habits. Periodontal disease can however cause a number of other problems and in many cases is a result of untreated gingivitis.

Symptoms and signs that you may have gingivitis

• Have you ever brushed your teeth and noticed your gums are bleeding?
• Have you touched an area on your gum and wondered why it’s red, sore or swollen?

Your gums become inflamed and weakened due to plaque build-up and this can cause the gums to bleed at times. You may even notice that your teeth are a little irritated – but as long as they are still cemented in place, no irreversible bone or tissue damage has occurred at this stage. If you choose to neglect the signs and symptoms however, there is a high chance your symptoms may develop into periodontitis (periodontal disease).

Periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Gum disease can lead to tooth loss if left untreated, however early detection from a dental professional and treatment is known to help resolve the problem and lessen your chances of tooth loss.

Symptoms and signs that you may have periodontal disease

• Red swollen or sore gums
• Persistent bad breath
• A bad taste in the mouth
• Loose teeth
• Bleeding gums
• Changes in bite
• Receding gums

Periodontitis may be seen where the gums have begun to reveal the hidden part of the tooth, creating small pockets for bacteria to further advance. You may find that your immune system has been low – this could be because your body is fighting to diminish the infection.