It’s easy to keep the teeth and gums healthy, yet gum disease is the leading cause of adult tooth loss in the UK. At City Dental we promote good oral hygiene and healthy lifestyle choices to keep gum disease at bay and allow you to enjoy good oral health and a beautiful, healthy smile.

Preventing gum disease

Gum disease is preventable, yet it affects thousands of people. There are some very easy steps you can follow to reduce your risk of developing sore and swollen gums and reduce the risk of severe gum disease, which eventually leads to premature tooth loss.

Oral hygiene is the foundation of good oral health and it’s really important to be diligent with your brushing and flossing. We recommend brushing twice a day, every day to remove food debris and prevent the formation of plaque, a sticky film made of bacteria, which is the main risk factor for decay and gum disease. Brushing also helps to remove surface stains to keep the teeth looking white and bright and it reduces the risk of bad breath. Flossing takes over where you leave off when you brush and is an important part of a good oral hygiene plan; it cleans the gaps between your teeth and the area where the gums meet the teeth.

Diet is also a really important consideration for your oral health, as certain foods increase the risk of damage to the enamel and irritation of the gums. We recommend sticking to a healthy and balanced diet and keeping an eye on the amount of sugary foods you eat. Acidic foods and drinks are also harmful for the protective enamel layer of the tooth and we strongly advise limiting your intake of these foods, especially between meals.

Spotting the warning signs

It’s best to treat gum disease as early as possible as it can get worse quickly. The warning signs to look out for include sore and swollen gums, with redness in the gums and bleeding, which you usually notice when you brush your teeth. If you have any of these symptoms, call and arrange to see your dentist.