Gum disease is the most common form of dental health problem. It is estimated that three quarters of adults in the UK will suffer from gum disease at some stage in their life. For some this might just be a case of mild gingivitis but for others it could be periodontitis that results in the need for tissue removal, extractions or even hospitalisation.

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.

Recent evidence suggest that periodontal disease, also known as gingivitis or gum disease, has strong links with heart disease and even fatal heart attacks. Infections that begin in the gums can enter the bloodstream causing a chemical reaction that causes the arteries around the heart to narrow. This is very bad for your health and yet frustratingly, periodontal disease is easily preventable.

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.

Gingivitis, the milder form of periodontitis, commonly known as gum disease, is one of the most common causes of lost teeth in the UK, especially among the elderly. The disease is caused by bacteria and plaque building up in the mouth which cause an inflammation and infection of the gum tissue. This infection attacks the tissue that surrounds the tooth, the gum membranes and even the underlying bone structure. Gum disease is preventable and is usually caused by poor hygiene, including a lack of effective brushing and flossing, and poor diet.

When gingivitis becomes the more serious periodontits it will require treatment from a dentist to completely cure. This may involve a course of antibiotics and even some tissue removal, depending on the condition of the gums. This can be painful and unpleasant so it is always wise to treat gum disease as early as possible. Most dentists will recommend treating gingivitis with improved brushing and flossing (your City of London dentist will be able to show you how during a routine check up). It may also involve rinsing your mouth with salty water a number of times a day to help fight the inflammation.

There are also a number of herbal remedies that can be used to treat gingivitis that can help to eliminate the infection and reduce inflammation. For acute gum disease, plantain poultices with drops of Echinacea tincture applied to the area can really help to alleviate the symptoms. By taking a small gauze, covered in the remedy, and applying it to the area for a long period, preferably overnight, you can help to fight the gum disease.

Other herbs that can be used to treat gum disease include aloe vera and clove. Both of which have anti-inflammatory qualities that can help to sooth the discomfort of gum disease. Ask your dentist for more information about herbal remedies for gum disease.

It’s a little known fact but gum disease is responsible for more lost teeth than tooth decay, yet so little focus is put on keeping our gums clean when compared to our teeth. Both varieties of gum disease, the milder gingivitis and the more serious periodontitis, are caused by a build up of plaque on the gums, releasing acid and gradually causing an infection.

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.

A Central London dentist has recently given advice on the prevention and treatment of gum disease. Tooth loss is generally thought to be due to the tooth simply coming loose, but in most cases it is actually due to a periodontal disease. This is an advanced form of Gingivitis. Is it preventable? A Central London dentist recently advised that gum disease is a natural product of modern living, the food we eat is full of chemicals that are necessary to keep it fresher for longer. The sugar, fat and salt content of our diet, even a well balanced diet, can affect our gums and create the breeding grounds for gum disease. It isn’t preventable entirely, but with a good healthy approach to oral hygiene and regular dental checks; we can lessen the burden. Removing the causes of the disease is a must to keep the mouth as disease free as possible. Plaque is the main contender and the bacteria it contains is in everything we put in our mouths. Keeping the levels down to a minimum will ensure a lot less gum disease. The disease will eat away at the base of the tooth and prematurely cause a breakage from the bone. It also causes the gums to shrink; gums are a protective layer over the teeth that guard against damage to the most vulnerable part of the tooth; which is the base. In losing the gums to a disease like Gingivitis it is not only painful, but in most cases irreversible, it really is a case of prevention rather that cure because there isn’t one. The best a dentist can do is to slow down the process, the rest is really up to us as the owner of teeth, and prevention is always better than cure.

Gum disease is the inflammation and infection of the gum tissue that anchors teeth to the jaw. It is a very common condition affecting nearly half of all adults but it can be treated easily if caught early by a dentist or dental hygienist.

The two main types of gum disease are gingivitis and the more serious periodontitis. Gingivitis is when the gums are attacked by plaque built up after eating. Plaque can be removed by correct brushing and flossing and can also be removed in harder forms by the dentist. Periodontitis follows on from gingivitis and causes infections in pockets where the gum has begun to come away from the tooth. It causes gum tissue to die and shrink away from the tooth exposing sensitive areas of the teeth and causing decay. Periodontitis is not reversible, as gum tissue cannot be made to grow back.

Symptoms of gum disease include sore or irritated gums and occasional bleeding, and shrinking tissue in more serious cases. It can be treated by a process called scaling or in cases of periodontitis by gum surgery. However, the best form of treatment is prevention. Keeping teeth and gums clean and free from plaque helps to prevent gum disease in the first instance and regular visits to a Central London dentist can help to tackle the first signs of any problems. Dentists or hygienists can also show you the correct way to brush and floss that will keep your gums disease free.

One of the most common dental problems is gum disease, also known as gingivitis. This can be an irritating, or at times, very painful condition caused by an infection of the gums. If the infection is not treated it can lead to bleeding gums, tooth loss and further health complications such as heart disease.

As with all dental health, the first line of defence against gum disease is prevention. By brushing teeth for three minutes twice a day, with an appropriate brush and in the correct way you can significantly help to stop gum disease developing. A close second to brushing comes flossing. Flossing once a day not only cleans the areas between the teeth that regular brushes can’t reach, but also cleans below the gumline, which is a notorious place for the build up of plaque.

Your lifestyle can also affect how healthy your gums are. People who drink excessively or use tobacco products are far more likely to develop gum disease. Tobacco seriously affects the gums ability to heal themselves so it can be a major contributing factor to the onset of gingivitis.

These preventative measures help to control the build up of plaque, which is a bacteria rich, filmy substance that covers the surface of the teeth and gums and causes decay. If left, plaque turns into tartar, which also causes gum disease and is incredibly hard to remove. If gum disease is allowed to develop it becomes a more serious strain called periodontitis which can lead to tooth loss and further infection.

If a dentist discovers gingivitis, or periodontitis, he may prescribe anti-biotics to fight the infection. If the infection is too far developed they may be forced to remove some of the gum tissue in a process called a gingivectomy, or even extract the tooth itself.

It is also important to make regular six-month visits to your dentist. They will be able to spot the early onset of gum disease and treat it before it becomes a more serious problem. Gum disease can cause years of pain and costly dental procedures if not prevented or treated quickly. Make an appointment to see your central London dentist and have yourself examined for gum disease as soon as possible.

Apart from brushing, the most important thing you can do for your teeth is to floss. Dentists recommend that you should floss at least once a day to maintain good oral hygiene. The gaps between your teeth can be home to millions of bacteria, especially when particles of food become lodged there and begin to decay. Decaying food particles are attacked by bacteria and can be the source of bad breath, tooth decay and assorted other dental health problems.

By not cleaning these areas, the bacteria will eventually produce acid that will begin to erode away the enamel and start to cause cavities. This acid will also emit foul smelling sulfurous compounds, the primary reason for bad breath.

The mucus like substance that bacteria live in is called plaque. Brushing removes plaque but it can be hard to clean between teeth with a conventional brush. Flossing also cleans below the gum line which can prevent the onset of gingivitis (gum disease).

If left, plaque will turn into tartar, which causes the teeth to stain and is impossible to remove by brushing and flossing. Tartar also attacks teeth through cavities and can lead to tooth decay and eventual tooth loss. Ask a London dentist about the correct way to floss and when is the best time of day to do it.

Recent research has also found that flossing can help to prevent heart disease. There really are lots of good reasons to floss thoroughly every day. It might just save your life.

Even though you may feel reasonably comfortable with over the counter mouth washes, your London dentist may have some formulas that will work better for your unique oral condition. For example, if you are struggling to combat halitosis or gingivitis, you may need a mouth wash that has antibacterial properties. Unfortunately, if you make use of mouth washes with alcohol in them, they will kill off the good germs, and leave room for bad ones to proliferate even faster. While these mouth washes are fairly popular, they may do more harm than good under certain conditions.

If you are having problems with cavities, you may also be interested in mouth washes that contain a higher percentage of fluoride. Depending on your situation, your dentist may also be able to give you some gels, as well as other therapies that will help reduce your current rate of tooth decay. While fluoride mouth washes tend to work best, your dentist may also have some other rinses that will be of use to you.

Without a question, if you just had your teeth cleaned, or some other type of oral procedure, you may need to use a rinse known as Chlorhexedane. This rinse will kill germs, as well as help reduce the risk of infections. Even though it will not destroy plaque, your dentist may feel that it will work better while your gums and other mouth tissues are recovering.

When regular mouth washes do not meet specific needs, you can ask your dentist about other options. Regardless of whether you are concerned about abscesses, tooth decay, or other issues, there are prescription based mouth rinses that can be of use to you. As may be expected, your dentist will advise you on how to use these washes properly, as well as let you know how long you will be able to use them.

Gum disease (gingivitis) is prevalent in the U.K. Your City of London dentist can help you with your gum problems. The signs and symptoms of gingivitis include gum swelling, temperature increase in the gums, redness, bleeding and/or pus around the gums, and pain. Gum disease begins when bacteria builds-up around the teeth and gums that are not adequately removed, and these bacteria and their by-products and end-products cause the gum tissue to become inflamed. Gingivitis is caused by these local conditions, but can be made worse if the body’s defences are weak. If you recognise the symptoms of gingivitis and seek help early on, gingivitis can be reversed. However, if not treated early-on and/or properly, gingivitis can cause oral bone loss (periodontal disease), with the result(s) being tooth loosening and/or tooth loss. Periodontitis can also lead to more severe pain, abscesses and bad breath (i.e., halitosis), or can go unnoticed until you visit your City of London dentist. .
Your City of London dentist will alleviate your gum pain, and can properly treat your gum disease. Your dentist and staff will teach you the proper brushing and flossing techniques, and emphasize that the key to good gum health is prevention. It is highly recommended that you visit your dentist regularly for regular dental checkups and professional cleanings. Your City of London dentist and dental hygienist will instruct you on the proper home care of your teeth and gums. You should make sure that you brush your teeth two times daily for at least 2 minutes each time, and floss your teeth at least once daily. Your City of London dentist may refer you to a gum specialist (periodontist), if your gum disease is too far advanced. Tooth scaling, root planning, and gum scraping can help combat gum disease, along with antibiotic treatment. There are occasion where gum surgery may be required to solve your gum problems.