Steering Clear of Gum Disease: Hygienists’ Tips

Dental decay can affect us at any age and is caused by a bacterial build up in the mouth. Plaque is the principal cause of tooth decay and gum diseases, but thankfully it can be prevented easily by taking some simple steps. Here are some tips from our dental hygienist as to how to prevent gum disease.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum diseases are infections that affect the gums or bone that keep a tooth securely rooted in your mouth. One of the most common forms of gum disease is gingivitis.

Gingivitis causes swollen, bleeding gums before and after brushing. It’s caused by the build-up of hardened plaque on your teeth, known as tartar. Tartar damages your gums, creating a space or pocket between your gum and the tooth, which is prone to infection. Once you’ve reached this stage, periodontitis has set in. This causes loose teeth and may ultimately result in extraction.

Thankfully, you can prevent periodontitis from taking hold by having regular dental checkups with our dental hygienist, who will clean and polish your teeth to remove plaque. If necessary, your dental hygienist can ask the dentist for a prescription for a medicated mouthwash to deal with the infection caused by plaque and to ease swollen gums.

While our dental hygienist can professionally clean your teeth, you can help them out by doing your part at home, too.

Preventing Gum Disease

We recommend brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft bristled brush and a fluoride toothpaste. Use small, round motions and back and forth strokes to effectively clean your teeth. Take your time; each tooth should be cleaned properly from tip to gumline to remove plaque.

Once a day, use floss to remove leftover food that brushing cannot reach. Wrap the floss around both index fingers and move the floss back and forth between the upper teeth before continuing to the lower teeth. Be careful not to push down onto the gum when flossing, as this can be painful and may cause damage. Follow with mouthwash.

Maintain a balanced diet and avoid tobacco for the best effect.

In some cases, pre-existing health issues such as limited motion can make it difficult to brush your teeth effectively. In this case, using an electric toothbrush can help.

What About Denture Wearers?

The first few weeks following the fitting of dentures can feel strange. Hot food and drink are a risk to new denture wearers as you become less sensitive to hot temperatures. Take extra care with these to avoid burns, as a burn which blisters is susceptible to infection.

You may also find that, over time, your dentures need adjustments to correct their fit. This is essential to avoid damage to remaining teeth and gums and to prevent bacteria from building up behind them.

Dentures should be cleaned once a day using a toothbrush and denture toothpaste. In the evening, before you go to sleep, you should remove your denture or partial denture and soak it in water or denture cleaning liquid. With partial dentures, the holding clips will also need to be cleaned to prevent bacteria from building up.

Our team at The Lodge Dental Surgery is dedicated to helping you prevent gum disease. However, if gum disease does become a problem, we are standing by with expert help and personalised solutions.