Gum disease is a silent problem, which sneaks up unexpectedly and wreaks havoc!

There are several stages to gum disease and if you are wily and lucky enough to catch it within the early days you can prevent any lasting damage for occurring.

When looking for gum disease in the early stages look for:

• Bleeding gums, which may occur when you are brushing your teeth and when you are eating.
• Sore spots on the gums.
• Swollen gums.

The majority of people in London and throughout the UK have suffered with gingivitis (the names of mild gum disease) at least once in their lives, but caught it early enough so that it wasn’t allowed to progress any further.

Treatment for gingivitis includes:

• Specialist mouthwash used for a small period of time.
• A dental hygienist clean at the dental practice.
• Brushing your teeth and gums regularly with a fluoride toothpaste and soft toothbrush.

What happens if my gum disease isn’t treated?

If gingivitis is allowed to develop unhindered it becomes periodontal disease, which is a lot harder to get rid of.

Periodontal disease also comes with its own set of symptoms as well as those experienced with gingivitis, which includes:

• Gum tissue peeling away from the bottom of the tooth, which then form open pockets of skin.
• Very loose teeth.
• Tooth loss.

There are some non-invasive treatments for periodontal disease, like periodontal cleaning to remove hard plaque that has formed into tartar, but if the problem is left to develop any further surgery may be required to cut away the worse affected areas.

How to stop gum disease in the first place

Gum disease is very easy to prevent and simply requires a continual good oral hygiene routine, which should include toothbrushing, flossing and using mouthwash. These 3 simple steps will ensure that your teeth and mouth remain clean and unharmed by gum disease.