Last Updated on 6th March 2023
The health of our gums provides a mirror to the health of our bodies, explain the dentists and hygienists at Evesham Dental Health Team in Worcestershire.
The first stages of gum disease affect some 80% of the population and the signs include swollen, red and bleeding gums, bad tastes and bad breath, and loose or drifting teeth.
Periodontitis or periodontal disease is the second most widespread oral disease after dental cavities. It affects more than 47% of adults over 30, and by 65 and older, some 64% have either moderate or severe periodontitis.
After an initial phase of inflammation in the visible part of the gum, the attachment of the gums to the tooth root is damaged, letting bacteria move down below the gumline into pockets by the tooth root where they erode the structures that hold our teeth in place, risking tooth loss.
Because of the hidden nature of periodontitis, many people don’t know it’s there until the advanced stages. The disease has a genetic component and is also influenced by oral hygiene, which is why we place such importance on the hygiene services we provide.
For most of us, the disease won’t become noticeable until our 40s or 50s, by which time, severe damage may have undermined our tooth architecture.
Severe gum disease also drips bacteria into our bloodstream – and that shapes our health well beyond our mouths. Gum disease has been scientifically linked to heart disease, strokes, dementia, bacterial lung infections, problems with pregnancy and fertility, and diabetes, among others.
Please do not neglect the health of your gums
Visit our hygienists and dental therapists as regularly as recommended and remember to brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste, plus clean between your teeth with floss or interdental brushes every day. Gum disease can affect anyone, including teenagers.
Our hygienists and dental therapists will help remove dangerous bacteria build-up and assess your mouth for periodontal disease that is hidden from your view. Contact us today to find out more.
