Gum Health Matters

Hello again and welcome to my blog.
The main aim of this blog is to provide a comprehensive guide to dental health; with free advice for all ages and in all dental matters. From time to time I shall feature interviews with some dental care professionals about a certain dental topic which I think is of interest to you. I would also be happy to receive comments and questions about any dental health matters; However; I would not comment on any treatment carried out by other dentists or provide a second opinion; I shall give honest, down to earth, free of jargon advice and that is a promise!

I thought long about the next point; and decided it should be gum health. because if you have healthy gums; the chances are that you have good, and healthy teeth. So here goes:

GUM HEALTH:
Healthy gums are the foundation of healthy teeth. The gums form the first barrier against mouth bacteria which; in sufficient amounts; could cause advanced gum disease and eventual tooth loss.



So; How does gum disease start; and what causes it?

Well; gum disease is caused by plaque bacteria mainly. Plaque is a film of bacteria and other substances which cling to the tooth surface. If plaque is left unremoved; it increases in thickness and the bacteria increases in number. Bacteria inside the plaque film are very toxic to gum tissue; and the first sign of gum disease is gum bleeding when you brush or spontaneously. Gum bleeding is not caused by brushing; it is caused by plaque bacteria secreting toxins and causing gum inflammation.

At this stage; getting the right advice on the appropriate brushing technique in addition to cleaning between the teeth (not with a toothpick!); and following the advice; is sufficient to remove the plaque film and reverse the inflammatory process. This will reduce or eliminate bleeding and return the gum to excellent health. This is the stage of gum disease that dentists call gingivitis.
Gingivitis is preventable and easily treated; you only need to visit your hygienist or dentist regularly to get advice on how to keep your teeth plaque free and your gums healthy and comfortable.

In the next posting, I will be discussing the advanced stages of gum disease; their causes and the ways to prevent their occurrence; and possible ways of managing advanced gum disease; it is worth remembering that without professional help and advice; gum disease could progress quite rapidly and eventual tooth loss could be the result; it is also worth noting that without professional advice and treatment; over the counter remedies alone would not work.

See you soon.

Sam Mohamed