Complications From Gum Neglect – Advice And Treatment In Burton

Posted on Posted in Hygienist

When cleaning your teeth, please pay attention to your gums as well!

When most people discuss their oral health, they probably tell others that they ‘clean their teeth’ regularly. This is a good start for certain, but the fact that only the teeth are usually mentioned is a bit of a warning sign that neglect of another important part of the mouth is happening. The fact is that when we ‘clean our teeth’ we also need to pay attention to our gums and clean those too.

Although awareness of gum disease is higher than before, it is still a fact that only around 20% of us actually floss between our teeth; something that is very important to gum health. We will offer a reminder on how to look after your gums to conclude today’s blog, but before that, let us take a look at some of the issues that can arise from poor gum health.

Oral health issues

These are the most obvious and common issues that can arise when we neglect our gums and so seem an obvious place to start. Early warning signs of gum disease being present include soreness and possibly bleeding of the gums when you clean your teeth. As long as action is taken fairly quickly, this is sometimes reversible simply by improving the care of your gums.

One embarrassing consequence of gum disease is likely to be halitosis, or bad breath. If anyone has ever noticed this on another person, they will know how offensive it can be. You might find that no one wants to talk to you for fear of having to move back to get away from the smell. It doesn’t have to be this way if you look after your gums correctly.

The worst thing that can happen if you neglect your gums, from an oral health perspective, is that the bacteria reach the roots of the tooth and surrounding bone tissue. This will damage the bone and cause the bond between tooth and bone to weaken. Consequently, teeth can work their way loose and can even fall out altogether.

Systemic issues

While some of our Burton patients might be familiar with the above, there are some potentially serious other issues that can arise in other areas of the body. Research is continuing into this but the evidence appears to indicate that poor gum health is a real threat to our overall wellbeing.

Heart disease/stroke

One of the more serious issues that is starting to be associated with periodontal disease is heart disease and strokes. These can not only be life altering but can also prove debilitating and even fatal. It is thought that bacteria from periodontitis can not only affect the bone tissue but can enter the bloodstream where it can lead to inflammation and hardening of the arteries. An increase in blood pressure has also been linked. On their own or in combination, this increases the risk of the aforementioned heart problems.

Diabetes

While poor oral health doesn’t actually cause diabetes, it can increase the complications that can arise from it. The inflammation that it can cause makes it more difficult for the body to use insulin correctly and can lead to a rise in blood sugar. Diabetes complications can include kidney problems, sight issues and infections of the feet.

Pregnancy issues

This might be described as a ‘double edged sword’. Being pregnant in itself increases the risk of gum disease and this is quite common during pregnancy, This might be partially due to how the mum to be is feeling. Tiredness etc can all lead to a worsening of oral health care and changes in hormones also increase the risk of this. The effect of this is that if you do suffer from poor gum health, there is a risk of low birth weight and even premature birth. It is essential that you keep us informed if you are pregnant and we can guide you towards the appropriate treatments to keep your gums in good health to minimise these risks.

Other issues

Other issues have also been linked with periodontal disease and the research into these continues. These include the likes of certain cancers, inflammation and even breathing issues. All in all then, we think patients of SG Dental and Implant Centre in Burton can understand why the importance of good gum health should not be underestimated.

Improvements at home

Let’s bullet point a few simple things that you can do at home to improve your gum health.

  1. Make sure your toothbrush bristles are not worn
  2. Angle the bristles towards the gum line when cleaning so that bacteria and food can be cleaned from this area
  3. Use dental floss – Ask us how if you struggle with this
  4. Stay hydrated. A dry mouth is a key risk for gum disease
  5. Quit smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

These 5 things can make a world of difference and are not hard to try – we can help you too.

Hygienist appointments

Although there is a greater awareness of gum disease, still too few of our Burton patients see our dental hygienist on a regular basis. This should be a ‘must’ and not only can they offer good advice on how you can improve your oral health but they can carry out a scale and polish which removes hardened bacteria from the teeth and gum line that home brushing won’t. You should see them every six months, and in some cases such as a diabetic or smoker, possibly every three months. They will advise you.

If you don’t currently see a hygienist, the appointment currently only costs £69 (also included in Denplan Care) and will make a big difference to your oral health. If you would like to book an appointment, please call the receptionists at the SG Dental and Implant centre on 01283 845345.