Gum disease is probably a condition you’ve heard about. It’s frequently mentioned by York dentists and on the side of toothpaste packets, but what actually is it, what causes it and what are the consequences of it?

Symptoms of gum disease

A very high percentage of the British population is suspected to be suffering from the early stages of gum disease. It’s also thought that most adults will experience it at some point in their lives. Why is it so ubiquitous? Perhaps you’ve even experienced it yourself.

Have you ever noticed that your gums are feeling sore, they look swollen, or even that they’re bleeding? Have you ever noticed blood in the sink when rinsing your mouth after brushing your teeth? If the answer to any of these is yes, then you could be suffering from gum disease.

Food deposits that remain on our teeth after we brush them and end up on the gumline get harder in texture and can cause an infection. This is what leads to the inflamed gums of gum disease. So many people suffer from it, at some level, because even with the best will in the world, it’s difficult to remove all the deposits from our teeth all of the time.

Having teeth that are not perfectly straight exacerbates this, as will not brushing, flossing your teeth regularly enough, or not visiting your York dentist at least annually. The longer the leftover food deposits remain on your teeth, the more likely they are to irritate your gums and for the disease to develop in severity.

What happens when gum disease develops?

The symptoms of gum disease are not limited to bleeding, sore gums. In severe cases it can lead to tooth loss and far more serious health problems. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease and diabetes. It’s worth brushing your teeth a little more thoroughly to prevent that.

How is gum disease prevented and treated?

You can help prevent gum disease by brushing your teeth twice a day, every day, with the last brushing session taking place just before you go to bed at night.

If your teeth have surfaces that are hard to reach because your teeth aren’t in perfect alignment, you might want to consider some orthodontic treatment to get them straighter. Annual, or even better, twice-annual visit to your York dentist for a professional clean will help you get rid of lingering deposits.

If you’re already suffering from gum disease, you’ll need to book an appointment with us for gum therapy which will help clean up your gum disease. For a professional dental examination here at our York practice, please give us a call to book your appointment. We’ll be able to help you, whatever level of severity your gum disease has reached.