In its milder form, gum disease is known as gingivitis, which can be treated with relative ease by a dentist and with improved oral hygiene. However, if the problem is allowed to persist it will eventually become periodontitis, a more dangerous form of the condition. In recent years several studies have identified a link between periodontitis and heart disease, one of the biggest killers in the UK.

The link occurs because infected matter in gum tissue enters the bloodstream. There it causes a chemical chain reaction which leads to a narrowing of the arteries and heart concerns. Treatment of periodontitis ranges from antibiotics to tissue removal and even hospitalisation.

The key symptoms of gum disease are swollen, red or inflamed gums, an unpleasant smell and bleeding gums. Gum disease can be prevented by maintaining regular check ups with a Central London dentist every six months.

In an age where heart disease is a very serious problem and affected by so many aspects of our modern life it is important to give yourself every possible chance of avoiding this very serious condition. Heart disease can result in high blood pressure, heart attacks and even fatalities. Ask your dentist for more information about the link between the two.

There are many mild and series dental problems that can affect the teeth and gums. Dental decay begins with small dental cavities in the surface enamel. Although easily treated, like with all dental problems, if left without attention it can quickly become something more serious. For instance, if the cavities penetrate to the centre of the tooth, they can cause an infection that will attack the dental nerve. This is not only pretty painful but can also result in the loss of the tooth and spread of the infection to others in the mouth.

It is a similar story with the gums. Constantly under attack from plaque and bacteria, it is not uncommon for the gums to become irritated and suffer from mild infections. Again, if the problem is addressed it can be easily cleared up but if left can lead to more serious concerns. This includes periodontitis, the most serious form of gum disease, characterised by bleeding gums and swollen tissue. This may well need treatment with antibiotics and even some tissue removal.

Bleeding gums can also be the sign of more serious concerns in the oral cavity including oral cancer so it is always wise to visit your Central London dentist if you notice that your gums are bleeding.

Gum disease, like tooth decay, is caused by a build up of bacteria and plaque. This releases acids, which irritate the gum tissue and can lead to an infection. If the gum becomes infected it will swell, become sore and red and spread cross the tissue. Gum disease is particularly nasty because it has proven links to heart disease. If the infection enters the bloodstream in the mouth, it can cause a chemical chain reaction that leads to a narrowing of the arteries around the heart. This could potentially be the cause of a heart attack and other very serious cardio conditions.

Gum disease can easily be prevented with improved brushing and flossing. When brushing your teeth it is recommended that you use a soft bristled brush angled towards the gums. This will gently clean the gums and stimulate them at the same time. Flossing will remove bacteria and plaque form around the base of the teeth and gums, which will help to keep them clean and healthy.

Treatment for gum disease usually involve improved oral hygiene and in some more serious cases antibiotics to treat the infection. In most cases this will be enough to solve the problem but in severe cases some tissue may need to be removed. This is why it is so important to see a Central London dentist every six months so that gum disease can be treated before it becomes a serious problem.

Better dental hygiene starts at home with more effective brushing and flossing. Dentists recommend brushing twice, for three minutes a day. Your dentist will be able to recommend a suitable toothbrush and paste for your teeth. Flossing is equally important to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Your Central London dentist will also be able to offer you a preventative dentistry treatment. This involves an initial appointment with the dentist to assess your teeth for any potential problems. These will then be treated accordingly, making sure to repair any damage to the teeth and gums and highlight potential future problems. Once all your teeth have been repaired and checked, a dental hygienist will undertake a thorough deep clean with scaling and polishing. This will remove any tartar or plaque that remains on your teeth before polishing them so that it is harder for plaque to accumulate in the future.

Your dentist and hygienist will draw up a new dental hygiene plan for you to address any possible concerns and help to keep your teeth and gums free of decay and disease. It is then up to you to stick to the plan as closely as possible and make sure your teeth are kept as healthy as possible. Preventative dentistry is like starting again with a clean slate. Your teeth will be made as healthy as they can be and by working with you dentist you will hopefully be able to keep them that way.

Gum disease is caused by a combination of poor dental hygiene, irregular visits to the dentist and bad diet. By eating food bad for your teeth you are increasing the risk that plaque and bacteria will cause damage. This however, will be made significantly worse by a poor standard of oral hygiene. Insufficient brushing and flossing allows plaque acid to irritate gum tissue, causing it to become inflamed. If this is allowed to continue it will eventually cause an infection in the gum that damages tissue. Most forms of gum disease can be easily cleared up in their milder forms by improved cleaning and a visit to your dentist. But, by not recognising the signs you are increasing your chances of the disease worsening and gum disease having a negative impact on your teeth and overall health.

Severe periodoantal disease will require antibiotics and even tissue removal. This may also result in tooth loss and a significant amount of pain and discomfort. Added to all of this is the potential to cause life-threatening heart disease, making it something to be avoided at all costs. The easiest way to avoid periodontal disease is to make regular appointments to see your London dentist. They can help to spot the first signs of the condition and also give you tips on how best to clean your teeth to avoid it.

Good oral hygiene involves effective brushing, with a soft brush and appropriate toothpaste, and also flossing. Brushing should be carried out twice a day for three minutes and flossing at least once a day. This will help to remove bacteria from the surface of the teeth and the small gaps between them. This can help to keep teeth free from decay and gum tissue healthy and able to fight off infection and irritation.

Effective oral hygiene should always be backed up by six-monthly visits to a City of London dentist. They will be able to offer the best advice about how to keep you teeth and gums healthy. They can also treat the first signs of gum disease to prevent it becoming any worse. This is very important, especially as more severe gum disease has string links to heart disease and even fatal heart attacks.

By neglecting your oral hygiene you may be allowing plaque to get the upper hand. This can cause gum disease, as it will irritate the gum tissue until it becomes infected. By keeping your teeth free from plaque, you will limit the chances of any gum irritation and help to prevent infection.

Brushing your teeth twice a day for three minutes helps to remove plaque, the filmy substance responsible for tooth decay and gum disease. If allowed to remain, plaque releases acids, which gradually erode the protective layer of tooth enamel and irritate gum tissue. This will eventually lead to infection in both instances, the cause of more complicated and painful dental problems.

Central London dentists recommend that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head so that you can reach more areas of the mouth without causing any damage to the gums. Try and brush your teeth with the brush at a forty-five degree angle to the gums in order to effectively clean them.

Flossing is almost as important as brushing as it removes plaque and decaying food from small areas between the teeth and around their base. By doing these two oral hygiene tasks well each day and seeing the dentist regularly, and most importantly, sticking to it, you will be protecting your teeth for many years to come.

We’re all aware of plaque but few of us realise exactly what it is. It is made up of a collection of bacteria and food matter that clings to the teeth and gums like a film. Gradually releasing acid from the decaying food and bacteria, it breaks down tooth enamel causing cavities and eroding gum tissue exposing it to infection. Gum disease is very common in the UK with over three quarters of adults experiencing gum disease at some point.

Gingivitis is the mild form of the disease which can be treated with more effective cleaning and some minor treatment from the dentist. Improved brushing and most importantly flossing will usually sort it out, but if plaque is allowed to continue to attack the gums it may worsen, eventually becoming periodontitis which is much more difficult to treat. In serious cases, periodontitis needs to be treated with anti-biotics, surgical tissue removal and even hospitalisation. It also commonly results in tooth loss and the spread of infection. With the recent research indicating a link between gum disease and heart disease it is important to prevent gum disease reaching these proportions. City of London dentists are trained to treat all forms of gum disease but can also be integral in its prevention with regular check ups.

Keeping your gums clean is a simple matter of removing plaque. Plaque is a filmy substance that sticks to teeth releasing acid which erodes tooth enamel causing decay. It also sticks to gums destroying tissue and causing infections we know as gum disease. Most gum disease is mild and can be treated with improved cleaning but if it becomes the more serious periodontitis it can require tissue removal and hospital treatment.

The gums can be cleaned easily by angling the toothbrush at a forty–five degree angle when brushing. This gently clears gums of plaque and food debris which cause disease. Flossing below the gum line also helps to remove bacteria and food trapped in small pockets between the gums and teeth.

It is also important to make regular visits to a Central London dentist who can examine teeth for the first signs of gum disease and carry out thorough cleaning. Don’t get caught out by gum disease, as it can be a painful and unpleasant experience and one that is easily avoided.