At some point in our lives, at least half of us in central Leeds will come up against gum disease and though it can be stopped, it’s not considered to be reversible. Usually caused by poor diet and oral hygiene, or a poor immune system, gum disease is a very destructive agent to the mouth and the rest of your body (it’s linked to blood disorders and heart disease). When plaque and tartar build up around the teeth, the gums can become infected. Early signs are bleeding, weeping or receding gums, and loose teeth. Gum disease can be tackled at home through general oral health care, antibiotics or herbal remedies. But it may require help from your dentist to deep scale around the teeth to remove plaque, and plane to remove bacteria from inside the root; whatever you do to treat the problem, it requires constant attention, as it can easily return. If the problem is allowed to go further though, it can lead to tooth decay and even tooth loss. This again, depending on how bad it has become, is normally treated at the dentist, with fillings or root canal treatment. One of the sure fire ways of fighting gum disease and tooth decay, other than regular brushing and flossing, is to make sure you see your dentists at least twice a year. They can pick up on any problems quickly and then treat them.
Tags: gum disease, oral hygiene, tooth decay
