Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common condition that affects millions of people in the UK alone. It’s more prevalent amongst adults and most of us expect to experience the condition at least once during our lifetime
Gum disease is a condition that causes your gums to become sore, puffy, and in some cases, infected. It usually starts as gingivitis and an early warning sign is blood when you brush. If it’s left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis – a more advanced form of gum disease.
Periodontitis affects not only your gums, but the other structures that support your teeth, including the bone and soft tissues. If periodontitis isn’t treated promptly your gums and bone may also recede, which in severe cases can lead to tooth loss.
It is really important to spot the early signs of gum disease and tackle them before they turn into something more serious.
Here’s what to look out for:
Gum disease is a condition that causes your gums to become sore, puffy, and in some cases, infected. It usually starts as gingivitis and an early warning sign is blood when you brush. If it’s left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis – a more advanced form of gum disease.
Periodontitis affects not only your gums, but the other structures that support your teeth, including the bone and soft tissues. If periodontitis isn’t treated promptly your gums and bone may also recede, which in severe cases can lead to tooth loss.
Plaque builds up naturally on our teeth and must be removed daily, so the best thing you can do to prevent gum disease is brush your teeth twice a day – and floss too!
Sugary foods and drinks exacerbate the problem by feeding the bacteria in plaque. This helps them to multiply faster and it can make certain types of bacteria more difficult to brush away.
