Gum disease

Preventing gum disease is not just about saving your teeth. Many studies have shown that bacteria which cause gum disease are linked to or exacerbate major health problems, including:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Lung disease
• Diabetes
• Low birth-weight in babies

Do you have gum disease?

Tell-tale signs that you may have gum disease, also known as gingivitis, include:

• Red, swollen gums
• Tender gums
• Bleeding, especially after brushing your teeth

Gum disease will not go away by itself. If you ignore it, you may well experience other more serious symptoms including:

• Bad breath
• Foul taste in the mouth
• Difficulty eating
• Loose teeth
• Teeth falling out
• Abscesses

This is known as periodontitis and is caused by inflammation of the gums which then spreads to the surrounding bone and tissue. Gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss in the UK, not tooth decay.

What causes it?

Gum disease is caused by an accumulation of plaque on your teeth.

Plaque is a soft, yellow, sticky film of bacteria which can build up on teeth if they are not brushed regularly. When you eat food - especially ones containing sugars or starch – the bacteria in the plaque convert it to acids which attack your teeth.

Because plaque is sticky, it keeps the acids produced in close contact with your teeth, which can lead to tooth cavities. Think of it as a sugar bath!

Plaque can also harden, forming tartar. This tends to happen around the gum-line and in between teeth. It provides a perfect environment for further accumulation of plaque and can cause gums to recede, become inflamed and become infected causing gum disease.

How to prevent it

Everyone is more susceptible to gum disease as they age. However, most gum disease can be prevented by preventing the build up of plaque. This means:

• Using a fluoride based toothpaste – fluoride kills bacteria
• Brushing your teeth twice a day to remove food and plaque
• Flossing to remove plaque and food debris between teeth
• Using an antiseptic mouthwash
• Regular visits to the dentist, every six months – they can remove plaque and tartar and treat any signs of disease

Sweet tooth?

If you must, try not to eat sweets between meals. If you eat them along with a main meal when you are producing more saliva, you will lessen the acid attack on your teeth. Avoid all sugary drinks, especially between meals. Drink water instead. You’ll also be cutting back on the calories.

Our guide to the top teeth rotters.

This article was published on Mon 20 December 2010