Far too many people in the United Kingdom suffer from gum disease and usually suffer in silence. The reasons for this are perhaps that people are more concerned about the state of their teeth or that some do not visit the dentist regularly enough where the experts can diagnose gum disease. But gum disease is worth taking seriously, if not for the fact that it can be rather painful and inconvenient even in its early stages, but also because it leads to more cases of tooth loss than actual dental decay does.
Many patients want to know exactly what they can do to put a stop to gum disease (professionally known as gingivitis in its early stages) or at least relieve the symptoms. Usually dentists will tell their patients that gum disease is easily dealt with by changing the way that they take care of their teeth. Sometimes patients are advised to use an electric tooth brush because it removes more plaque, sometimes patients are told that they need to floss with greater dedication. Certain mouth washes are available too which have been clinically formulated to deal with gingivitis.
In terms of relieving the symptoms, there are herbal remedies which can help patients. Herbal remedies are a controversial issue for some, with a number of people believing that they simply don’t work. But many independent studies have shown that substances like Echinacea, garlic and cloves can actually reduce the swelling and redness that comes with gum disease. It is always best to seek advice from your Leeds dentist before your pursue any home treatment as some of these can actually be rather abrasive on the teeth, but it is always worth keeping an open mind.
Archive for the ‘gums’ Category
Leeds dentists tell patients that herbal remedies can be used in the fight against gingivitis
Saturday, April 23rd, 2011Gum disease: Causes, diagnoses and treatments with Central Leeds dentists
Monday, April 18th, 2011
Gum disease is all too common in the United Kingdom and dentists are anxious to something about it, with your help. The unfortunate and painful fact is that gum disease actually leads to more cases of tooth loss than the decay of teeth through cavities. The reasons for the prevalence of gum disease can be put down to many people not recognising the signs of it and also people neglecting to go to the dentist as often as they should.
Gum disease need not get to the stage where tooth loss becomes a concern. In its early stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis and it is not a particularly serious business in and of itself. It will lead to greater sensitivity when eating and drinking and maybe a little soreness. But it is very easy to sort out.
It is often the case that it is caused purely by the patient not quite taking the very best possible care of their teeth and the dentist will advise them to change their routine some way. Sometimes specially formulated mouth wash is suggested and in some cases, antibiotics can be taken to rid the gum of the inflammation.
It is vitally important that the disease is sorted out at this stage though for, while gingivitis is relatively benign and more inconvenient than anything else, it can be a harbinger of worse. The next stage of gum disease is a far worse proposition. Periodontitis actively causes tooth loss because the bones holding teeth in place become inflamed and can no longer do their job properly.
Stop periodontal disease in its tracks by brushing and flossing properly at home and going to see your Central Leeds dentist at regular intervals.
Put an end to periodontal disease once for all with help from City of Leeds dentists
Thursday, April 14th, 2011
There are many good reasons to go and see your dentist every six months. If you have been recently then you will know about how they administer scaling and polishing to get rid of troublesome tartar and that they look out for signs of dental decay, oral cancer and sleep apnea. But your dentist is also keeping a close eye on the state of your gums. And thank goodness they are because gum disease actually causes more cases of tooth loss than decaying teeth themselves.
Gum disease (clinically termed periodontal disease) is not something to be especially fearful of if you take certain simple steps with your home oral health care routine. Brushing your teeth is beneficial not just for the teeth themselves. The removal of plaque from the gum line of teeth is key in beating periodontal disease. Plaque can inflame the gums, leaving them sensitive and reddened if a condition called gingivitis occurs.
Gingivitis can progress into something much more insidious: periodontitis. This where the danger of tooth loss become palpable. If the inflammation spreads to your bones that hold your teeth firmly in place then you might undergo the extremely painful experience of losing some of your teeth.
So make sure that you are not only brushing your teeth but also flossing. If you are a smoker, think about giving up because it stymies the production of saliva which naturally combats plaque in the mouth. These simple measures, carried out in conjunction with regular visits to your City of Leeds dentist, should leave you free from the potential problems of periodontal gum disease and you won’t have to worry about tooth loss.
City of Leeds dentists advise patients about how to prevent gum disease
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
Your gums should be just as important in your mind when you are thinking about taking care of your mouth. They are a greater cause of tooth loss than dental decay itself so it is well worth paying attention to how well you are looking after them. Rather than having to go through the pain and indignity of suffering from gum disease and then having to have it treated, it is best to look after them in the first place to do your best in making sure that gum disease doesn’t occur.
Your primary concern should be plaque, a substance which is produced in the mouth when you eat and drink. Making sure it is removed is not only so that your teeth don’t start to decay; plaque also causes the gums to inflame and gingivitis can result. This is fairly easily dealt with and is common but if it is left to progress it can turn in to periodontitis where the jaw bone itself becomes inflamed.
By brushing and flossing effectively you should be removing the maximum amount of plaque from the mouth where it can harm the gums and cause them to become diseased. You should brush and floss at least twice a day and maybe again if you have eaten a sugary snack or a starchy meal.
Be sure also to visit your dentist every six months so that your mouth can be checked by a professional. Report any problems you think might be developing; it is better to be safe than sorry, even if your dentist says that there is no problem with your gums. Your City of Leeds dentist has all the information about how to prevent gum disease from occurring.
Central Leeds dentists offer effective diagnosis and treatment for tooth and gum disease
Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011
Taking good care of your teeth helps you to eat, drink and talk in comfort. These are activities which you can easily take for granted but if you find that you suddenly suffer from tooth or gum disease then you might not be able to carry them out as easily as you are used to. This is why it is vital that you take excellent care of your teeth in the manner that dentists recommend.
Tooth and gum diseases are primarily brought on by plaque building up in the mouth. Plaque is a substance that is formed when you eat or drink, especially substances which have a lot of sugar and or starch in them. It attacks the enamel which normally protects teeth and leaves them open to decay. Once the enamel is broken down then small holes can form in the teeth, called cavities.
Gum disease occurs when plaque on the gum line of teeth causes gums to become inflamed and reddened. If it is left unchecked the most basic form known as gingivitis can turn into periodontitis where the bones holding teeth in place become inflamed. This often leads to teeth being lost in sufferers as the gums become unfit to hold teeth in place anymore.
You can guard against tooth and gum disease by taking proper care of your teeth at home. By brushing twice a day and flossing too you should remove the vast majority of plaque in your mouth and give your teeth and gums a fighting chance. Your Central Leeds dentist plays a vital part in this too and by visiting him or her regularly they can spot any disease in the early stages so they can be effectively treated.
Can gum disease be cured with herbal remedies? Leeds dentists have the answers
Thursday, March 10th, 2011
Gum disease affects many people in the United Kingdom, some of whom probably don’t even know that they have it. It is not a particularly serious condition in its most basic form of gingivitis but it should be dealt with so that complications don’t ensue and the far more grievous periodontitis doesn’t take hold.
Gingivitis is caused by a build up of plaque in the gum line of teeth which causes the gums to become inflamed. You will find that your gums begin to feel rather sensitive and, instead of being a healthy pink colour, will start to redden. Periodontitis is signified by receding in the gums and swelling as the bones holding the teeth in place themselves become inflamed. Tooth loss is likely in this situation and it is best that you deal with gingivitis before it progresses.
Several herbal remedies are actually effective in the treatment of gum disease and most dentists endorse these methods. You can actually find tooth pastes which are specially formulated for gums which include some of these herbs such as sage, peppermint and basil.
Some herbs can even be applied directly to the gums themselves and are useful for relieving the symptoms of gum disease and helping to combat them too. These include grapefruit extract, calendula and Echinacea. Taking aloe vera and chewing clove can help too, these are time-honoured methods of helping with painful gums. But if your gum disease is sever then you might wish to consult your dentist before pursuing these because they can actually be rather aggressive on your gums.
Talk to your Leeds dentist for all the best advice about the different ways of approaching gum disease
Guard against periodontal disease with City of Leeds dentists
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011
Taking care of your teeth ought to go hand in hand with looking after your gums as well. The sad fact is that all too often gum problems go unnoticed and are actually a greater cause of tooth loss than dental decay itself. In conjunction with regular visits to your City of Leeds dentist, you should be able to recognise the signs of periodontal disease so that it can be treated before it gets worse.
Gum disease generally is caused by a build up plaque on the gum line of teeth. Plaque is formed when you eat and drink, particularly sugary and starchy substances. It can cause the gums to become inflamed and patients can then contract gingivitis, the most common form of gum disease. Gingivitis shows itself as sensitivity in the gums and reddening.
If gingivitis is allowed to take hold then the inflammation, previously confined to the gums, spreads to the bones which hold your teeth in place. This is called periodontitis and it is a rather nasty condition. Periodontitis manifests itself with sever reddening of the gums and the appearance that your teeth are lengthening. This is actually where your gums are receding. You might find that you have odd, metallic tastes in your mouth and find that eating and drinking is giving you pain because of the sensitivity of your gums.
Brushing and flossing as recommended ought to be enough to stave off periodontal disease in most cases by clearing the mouth of plaque but sometimes it develops. This is one of the many reasons why it is a good idea to get into the habit of visiting your City of Leeds dentist every six months. In that way a professional can monitor your mouth and spot the early signs of periodontal disease and treat it.
Deal with gum disease get a healthy mouth: talk to your Central Leeds dentist
Tuesday, March 1st, 2011
Making sure that your teeth are healthy is only one part of ensuring good oral health. You should also be concerned about the state of your gums because gum disease is actually a greater cause of tooth loss than tooth decay itself. Thankfully, taking care of your gums is not a major hassle and can be achieved in several easy steps.
The best way to guard against gum disease is to make sure that you are brushing your teeth at least twice a day and again after meals if necessary. If plaque builds up on the gum line of teeth then it can cause the gums to become inflamed. They will start to redden and you will find that you are experiencing a great deal of sensitivity when you eat and drink.
If left without being dealt with then the inflammation can spread to the bones which hold your teeth in place. Periodontitis is a serious condition which often results in tooth loss and so it is best to deal with any problems concerning your gums sooner rather than later.
Thankfully gum disease in its early stages is not difficult to deal with. Your dentist might advise that you tighten up your home oral hygiene routine and start flossing if you are not already doing so. Plaque can easily hide between the teeth and needs to be removed as urgently as it does from the surface of your teeth. Sometimes dentists might suggest that you use certain mouth washes which are designed to combat gum disease or you may be prescribed antibiotics.
Talk to your Central Leeds dentist if you have started to become concerned about the health of your gums.
Fighting gum disease in Leeds
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010
Gum disease is a constant problem amongst people in Leeds. It affects more over 50% of us and is impossible to reverse once it has set in. But it is possible to stop in its tracks. Early signs of the problem can be difficult to spot but it first shows itself through bleeding gums after brushing. You may also notice the gums weeping that can leave a bad taste in the mouth. This is caused by a general lack of oral hygiene, allowing plaque to develop around the teeth and progressing into cavities, decay and loose teeth, as the gums recede. It can also be caused by poor diet, medication, smoking, stress and a low immune system causing the mouth to dry up, due to the lack of saliva. Treatment depends on how advanced the problem is. A regular visit to the dentist will eradicate any build up of plaque and tartar around the teeth and they can advise you on a program of good oral hygiene to prevent the problem in the first place. But if gum disease has set in, treatment may involve scaling the pockets of the teeth and making even more visits to the dentist than normal to monitor the problem.
Dealing with bleeding gums in Leeds
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
It can be quite disconcerting in Leeds to look down on your tooth brush to see blood after cleaning. It doesn’t mean the end of the world, but can indicate that you may have a little bit of a problem. It could be as simple as using a too harder brush or that you are brushing far too hard. But to be safe, it is important to seek advice from your dentist, because it could lead to more serious problems. The mouth is very fragile and can be easily affected by lifestyle- diet, smoking, drinking and stress, which makes regular check-ups all the more important. Bleeding gums can also result from bad oral hygiene and can indicate the early signs of gum disease. If bacteria and plaque is allowed to build up and not removed, it can lead to sore gums and at worse receding gums and tooth loss. Further down the line, it can lead to heart, respiratory and digestion problems. A simple visit to the dentist should be enough to nip the problem in the bud. Plaque and tartar can be removed quite easily and it is also the time for you to get advice from your dentist on how to maintain oral hygiene at home; what brush, paste and mouth washes to use and maybe, finally take advice on how you live your life and what you put into your mouth.