Healthy teeth and gums are just as important when
you get older as they are when you're young. Adults
can often be faced with different types of dental problems.
The good news is, however, with regular dental care, you should
be able to keep your teeth all your life.
What sort of problems may I face?
Bleeding Gums:
Gum disease is the most common dental problem faced by people
over 18 years of age.
The early signs of gum disease are:
- gums that bleed during brushing or flossing
- red, puffy gums
This early stage of the disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis
is caused by plaque, the sticky, nearly colourless film of
bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth and around the
gumline. The bacteria in the plaque produce chemicals which
cause the gums to become inflamed.
If gingivitis is not treated quickly, it may lead to a more
serious form of gum disease, periodontitis. This more advanced
stage basically involves the inflammation spreads, it causes
the gums to pull away from the tooth, resulting in pockets
around the tooth. These pockets trap plaque under the gumline.
Unless treated quickly, the bone supporting the tooth may
be destroyed causing the tooth to become loose, fall out,
or require removal.
How Can I Prevent Gingivitis and Periodontitis?
Daily thorough brushing and flossing to remove plaque
is essential. Regular dental visits are also important.
Brushing:
To avoid plaque build up it is important to thoroughly
clean your teeth and gums at least twice a day. Remember,
each tooth has five surfaces - a front, a back, two sides
and a top. The only one sure way to prevent dental disease
is to clean every surface. It is often helpful to use a disclosing
solution to identify areas where plaque is being missed.
Brushing alone cannot clean all the surfaces of the teeth
- this is why we emphasise the imortance of flossing as well.
If you find flossing uncomfortable or difficult, let us demostrate
to you an easy method which will ensure much better oral health
for you well into the future.
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