Teeth have featured prominently in TV programmes recently. There has been an exposé about illegal tooth whitening on Watchdog (please see our previous blog for more information) and a two-part series called The Truth About Your Teeth, which is now available on BBC iPlayer.
In part two of the series, it was highlighted that the secret to a longer life was… drumroll please – looking after our teeth and gums! And this is something the four hygienists and therapists at Evesham Dental Health Team in Evesham, Worcestershire are passionate about.
Angela, Denise, Julie and Katherine work tirelessly to promote good oral hygiene and provide excellent advice for keeping our teeth and gums healthy. Much of what they promote was featured in the show but as a reminder, here are some of the facts:
- There are 20 billion bacteria living in our mouths – both good and bad.
- Bad breath, bleeding and inflammation of the gums are telltale signs of gum disease.
- Gum disease can be silent and its effects can creep up on us.
- The early stages of gum disease are reversible so it is essential that they are caught and dealt with as early as possible. This is why regular hygiene appointments are so vital. If they are left for a number of months, the effects become permanent.
- The impact of gum disease on our bodies is significant. The inflammation spreads throughout the body and shortens lifespans.
- The toxins caused by gum disease are leaked into the blood stream and have been linked to life threatening illnesses such as stokes, heart disease, lung infections, diabetes and problems with pregnancy.
- Non-smokers are 20% less likely to suffer from gum disease.
If you have any concerns about the health of your gums, please don’t hope they will go away on their own. Contact us straight away and smile brightly this summer with strong, healthy teeth and improved general health. And remember, patients from Evesham, Stratford, Alcester, Worcester, Cheltenham and the surrounding villages can visit our hygienists directly without seeing a dentist first.
