Gum disease is the main reason that people will lose their teeth. The gums and in turn the under your gums hold your teeth in place and if they become damaged then the support for your teeth becomes weaker and so eventually your teeth become looser and can fall out. Some people are more prone to getting gum disease and it can run in families. Also people who smoke are much more likely to develop gum problems and they respond less well to treatment as the healing abilities in their mouth is wearker due to the smoking.
How do you treat gum disease?
Unfortunately there is not cure for gum disease and so treatments are aimed at preventing it from starting and also stopping it getting worse if it has already started. By far the most important factor is how well you clean your teeth and gums at home. Regular cleaning with a toothbrush and also cleaning in between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes removed plaque and bacteria from the mouth and so helps to maintain healthy gums. It is recommended that you brush twice a day for approximately 2-3 minutes. Many people think that they do this but studies have found when asked to brush for 2 minutes and timed that people will brush on average for 40 seconds believing they have brushed for a full 2 minutes. It is a good idea to time yourself when brushing your teeth so that you do not lose track of time. Also many people only brush their teeth and neglect their gums. Ideally you should brush along your gum line where your teeth meet your gums so that you remove all of the plaque from this area and also the toothbrush will massage and stimulate your gums.
It is also important to have a professional cleaning with your dentist who will be able to reach areas of your mouth that you may be missing and can also clean under your gums. For most people having a clean twice per year is fine but for people at higher risk of problems would normally have a hygiene visit every 3 months.
Please visit our Glasgow based dental practice for a check up and a thorough hygiene visit to ensure that you maintain a healthy mouth.
