Keeping your Teeth & Gums Healthy

Keeping your teeth & gums healthy is not always easy, even If you brush and floss regularly. The two major dental problems you may face are gum disease and tooth decay.

What causes gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by plaque bacteria, a sticky colourless film that forms constantly on your teeth. If this is not removed regularly it will cause inflammation of the gums.

How do you know if you have gum disease?

The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. Symptoms of gingivitis are red, swollen, tender gums, which tend to bleed when brushed. Many people need to brush more often and more effectively. At this stage, gum disease is usually reversible with proper brushing and flossing.

 
Should you ignore the early symptoms of gum disease, you could end up regretting it. Gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, which starts to affect the bone and the fibres that hold your teeth in place. A little ‘pocket’ can form between your teeth and your gums and this is the ideal place for plaque, bacteria, and food to get trapped. The deeper it gets, the harder it is to remove. At this stage, you will probably need a dentist, hygienist, or therapist to professionally remove the plaque or tartar and give you advice on how to prevent further damage to your teeth, gums, and supporting structure.

Should you allow the gum disease to progress, this may lead to loosening of the teeth, which may in extreme circumstances fall out or have to be removed by your dentist.

What are the symptoms of Gum Disease?

• Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
• Gums that are red, swollen, or tender
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Teeth that look longer because your gums have receded
• Teeth that have become loose

The health of your gums can also affect your overall health. Recent studies have shown a possible link between periodontitis, gum disease, and other diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases and a possible link to premature births.

How do you prevent gum Disease?

• Brushing thoroughly twice a day making sure you clean all surfaces of your teeth and under the gum line. Proper brushing takes at least 2 minutes.

Uk dentists and hygienists recommend a small compact head brush with medium regular bristles such as Search 3.5 or Oral B Indicator, and X action. For many a power toothbrush is a good alternative. They can do a good job if you have difficulty brushing or have reduced manual dexterity.
Sonic technology creates a dynamic fluid cleaning motion, releasing tiny but powerful waves, which dislodge plaque that isn’t normally reached by a manual brush or possibly other rotating power brushes, especially between the teeth and below the gum line.

Sonicare not only, gives you a healthy mouth, but also potentially healthier heart and body, as recent studies have shown that heart disease and gum disease may be linked.

• Remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth by flossing daily. Should you find flossing difficult, try using a PTFE floss or tape such as Colgate flossing tape or Glide floss as they glide easily between teeth and does not shred or fray.

Dentists and hygienists now regularly recommend the use of Interdental brushes in place of dental floss due to ease of use and effectiveness.
They are specially designed to move back and forwards, removing plaque and debris from between teeth, which is where gum disease starts.

Tepe Interdental brushes are the brand most recommended by UK dentists and hygienists.

• Visit your dentist/hygienist at least every 6 months. Prevention can stop minor problems from being major problems

 

Tooth Decay

What causes tooth decay?

Tooth decay is caused by too much snacking on food such as sweet, biscuits, and soft drinks. Anything that contains sugar, even crisps. Each time you snack on anything that contains sugar, even if it is a tiny amount, plaque in your mouth reacts to create acid and causes ‘plaque acid attack’. This can last up to 20 minutes and at this time; the acid attacks the enamel of your teeth and makes it weak.

How do you know if you have tooth decay?

Tooth decay is most likely to affect the chewing surfaces of your teeth or in between teeth. It can be very difficult to see as it tends to spread under the enamel towards the pulp (nerve canal) of your teeth. Once it reaches the pulp, this is when you may feel pain, which can be too late. If left untreated, the nerves in the pulp may die, which may result in an abscess, infection at the tip of the root. This can be extremely painful. At this stage, the dentist will either have to remove the dead pulp or even may have to remove the tooth. The best way to spot and treat tooth decay is by visiting your dentist regularly. 

How do you prevent tooth decay?

• Limit sugary snacks. The more often you snack throughout the day, the more often your teeth are exposed to acid. It is best to eat all your sweets at one time than spread throughout the day. e.g. 5 sweets every hour will cause 100 minutes of acid attack, 5 sweets eaten at one time will cause approximately 20 minutes of acid attack.
• Use a fluoride mouth rinse such as Fluorigard Daily or Fluorigard Alcohol Free. Fluoride can help strengthen enamel against tooth decay. Ask your dentists or hygienist of you should be using and additional fluoride products.
• Visit your dentist regularly. They can diagnose and treat tooth decay.

Written by Yvonne Brown Dip Dh (Qualified Dental Hygienist)