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.

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 called periodontitis. This more advanced stage basically involves the inflammation spreading. It causes the gums to pull away from the tooth, resulting in pockets around the tooth. These pockets trap plaque under the gumline which then causes the problem to become worse. Unless treated promptly, the bone supporting the tooth may be destroyed causing the tooth to become loose, fall out, or eventually 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. During your dental visits, your dentist will identify for you areas where plaque is being missed, and show you how to better clean and maintain these areas.

Brushing alone cannot clean all the surfaces of the teeth – this is why we emphasise the importance of flossing as well. If you find flossing uncomfortable or difficult, let us demonstrate to you an easy method which will ensure much better oral health for you well into the future.