Gum disease is the biggest cause of tooth loss in adults in the U.K. Gum disease doesn’t really hurt until it is pretty advanced so you may not be aware your are suffering from it.
Here’s a simplistic explanation of how gum disease develops: when you eat, the bacteria that live naturally in your mouth form a sticky whitish substance called plaque from the food left on your teeth after your meal. In time, if this plaque isn’t brushed and flossed off, it can harden to form tartar (dentists call this calculus) which you won’t be able to brush off. This tartar is an ideal environment for bacteria to stick to – so they can make more plaque.
Your body tries to kill these bacteria – it sends white blood cells to your gums. You may notice your gums bleeding on brushing because of this. The white cells produce toxins which kill the bacteria, but they also damage the attachment of your gum to your teeth. If you lose gum attachment, you can get recession – looking long in the tooth – or a gum pocket can form. This is an area where food debris can lodge – and where your toothbrush bristles won’t reach. In time you can then lose the bone that holds your teeth in – not good!
Recent studies also suggest that gum disease increases your risk of heart disease.
Smoking makes this process much worse. Some medical conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes can also make you more at risk.
It is really important you have a good mouth cleaning technique – using brushes and floss to keep the plaque away. Mouthwashes can also help. Your dentist or hygienist can remove any plaque or tartar that has built up to help you fight gum disease.