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There are a few key warning signs to look out for. The first is bleeding gums following brushing, flossing or eating. Bleeding gums are not healthy – they are a natural alarm bell signifying disease. Gum disease may also change the appearance of the gums. In health, the gums are... View Article
The simple answer is yes. The mouth is connected with the rest of the body. It is the doorway to the body, rather than a separate organ, and is the access point for bacteria to enter the bloodstream via the gums. There are particularly strong associations with diabetes and heart... View Article
Gum/periodontal disease can have a negative impact on your quality of life. For example, bad breath may affect your confidence to get close to someone, loose teeth may affect your ability to eat hard foods, tooth loss may affect your nutritional status and the teeth may change position leading to... View Article
It’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to gum disease. The treatment for the condition is highly predictive and works very well. Of course, the earlier it’s treated the more predictable it is. The first line of treatment is usually ‘non-surgical debridement’, which involves disinfecting the gum pockets,... View Article
Smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for gum/periodontal disease. It increases both risk and severity. Smokers have deeper pockets and more bone loss. This can all lead to loose teeth and tooth loss. As the nicotine affects the blood vessels in the gums, bleeding gums is not common... View Article
Pregnancy changes your body and that includes your gums too! This means you are more at risk of gum disease and may experience signs of this such as bleeding gums. These signs should not be ignored, as gum disease treatment is safe, effective and important during pregnancy. Pregnant women should... View Article
Genetics and underlying susceptibility play a big role in determining whether you suffer from gum/periodontal disease. Although the plaque/bacteria are the initial cause, your genetic makeup affects how you react to that plaque. For example, your response may be exaggerated if you are genetically more susceptible. Especially if you are... View Article
A periodontist is a dentist who specialises in treating gum conditions. To be a specialist in gums, a dentist must undergo a 3-4 year rigorous training programme. On some occasions, periodontal disease can be treated by a regular dentist or hygienist. However, if your condition has not responded well to... View Article
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, affects one third of the UK population according to figures from the UK’s Oral Health Foundation. The two most common causes include gum disease and tongue coating (overgrowth of odour-causing bacteria on the tongue). Morning bad breath is simply caused by the decrease in... View Article
Nutrition and diet has a role in gum/periodontal disease. An imbalance or deficiencies can increase the risk and severity of periodontal disease by affecting the body’s resistance and potential for repair. Therefore, it’s important to have a healthy intake of fibre, fruit and vegetables and reduce the level of refined... View Article
Gum recession happens when the gum tissue has receded and lowers its position on the tooth, exposing the roots of the teeth. You may be at more risk of recession depending on the position of your teeth in the jaw as well as the thickness of your gum and bone.... View Article
If you are only mildly affected by receding gums, that’s great! Catching it early means that it may just be a case of monitoring it. However, either way, it’s important that the cause of the recession is established and corrected. This may involve modification of your brushing technique or gum... View Article
A gummy smile describes excessive gum display when smiling. The teeth can also look smaller than their expected size. It is not uncommon and shouldn’t be ignored especially if it affects your self-confidence and happiness. There are many reasons for a gummy smile but it is largely due to the... View Article
Dental implants have become a popular choice for replacing missing teeth. Implants are manufactured from titanium and can support crowns, bridges or dentures. For patients with advanced gum/periodontal disease, it is often tempting to want to replace loose teeth with implants. The first thing to remember is that nothing beats... View Article
You can never really ‘cure’ gum/periodontal disease but you treat and stabilise it. Once treated and the gums are healthy, you need to ensure life-long regular maintenance at home and with your hygienist to ensure you minimise any chances of relapse.