Gum Disease – All You Need To Know

Gum disease is actually far more common than you might realise. It is an issue for over half of the adult population in the UK, and because of this, our dentist in Ipswich at Hawthorn Drive Dental Practice wants to make the info on gum disease more accessible to the masses. If you are worried about gum disease yourself or have a loved one or family member who you think could be showing early signs of it, then this one’s for you. Keep reading on as our dentist in Ipswich has put together all you need to know.

But Why?

Gum disease is actually just the body’s way of defending itself. That can feel a little bit backwards and does not seem to make any sense, and we are sure you’re aware that in the worst cases, gum disease can result in bone and tooth loss. However, gum disease develops when plaque and tartar sit on the gum line and release nasty acids, which begin to rot the gums and teeth. Then, just as your body does with anything, it begins to send an army to the infected area in the form of blood and puss in order to rid the body of the area that is beginning to rot. So really, it is actually pretty clever, and though it can feel like a right pain in the bottom, it is your body’s own way of telling you that something’s up and that it needs to be fixed.

The Symptoms

Just in case you are not too sure, here are some of the symptoms you might begin to develop with gum disease. Now, most of these are symptoms of other dental issues too, which is why it is crucial that you see us if you do ever begin to notice any changes in your oral health.

The symptoms are swollen gums, bleeding gums, red gums, sore gums, loose teeth, bad breath, tooth loss, puss from the gums, and weird/new tastes in the mouth.

The Cure

When it comes to healing infected gums, we at Hawthorn Drive Dental Practice like to use a holistic approach. We combine in-surgery treatment with at-home practices to make sure your current infection is cleaned and cleared and that you are equipped with the tools you need at home to keep your gums healthy.

It is likely that our dentist in Ipswich will advise you to visit a hygienist, who will perform a scale-and-polish, which is essentially a deep clean and waxing of your teeth, a bit like the platinum car wash! After this, if you are only in the early stages of the disease, you will be able to see a noticeable difference in your gum health within a few days. The hygienist will then discuss your current oral health routine with you, map out what areas are missing and help you work on new practices such as flossing to make sure your oral hygiene routine is up to scratch for the long term.