Gum disease is a much more common problem in the elderly than the young due to many more years of exposure to food and drink. The earliest stages of gum disease are reversible so seeing your dentist for a regular check-up will prevent gum disease from spiralling out of control resulting in tooth loss and dentures.

Common signs of gum disease:

• Bleeding gums
• Red, sore, swollen gums
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth
• Changes in your bite
• Changes on the fit of dentures
• Persistent bad breath/bad taste in mouth

Mouth and throat cancer

Mouth and throat cancer are more likely to occur in the over 40’s so it is essential you are aware of the signs and symptoms. Please see below for the signs and symptoms of mouth and throat cancer:

• Sore in the mouth that bleeds and doesn’t heal
• Colour changes in the mouth
• Pain or lack of feeling in the oral vicinity
• Difficulty eating, communicating or moving tongue or jaw
• Change in teeth alignment
• Lump/thickening in cheek
• Loosening of teeth/pain around teeth
• White/red patch on gums, tonsils or lining of mouth
• Lump or thickening rough spot with a crust

Seeing your dentist regularly is the best way to identify and treat mouth and throat cancer in the initial phases.