72 % of the world’s cosmetic dentists consider gum disease to be the leading cause of tooth loss. More than third of the population of Europe over the age of 30 has gum disease. So what is gum disease and how is it treated?

Gums tissue covers the roots of our teeth. In order to stay healthy, this tissue requires a certain daily routine comprising of massage and cleansing. You may not be aware of this, but brushing alone is not enough to keep you gums in good health. In order to stay healthy gum tissue requires a much greater cleanness routine which consists of brushing, flossing and regular use of mouthwash. Cosmetic dentists insist, if such regular routine is not followed, the chances of an individual acquiring gum disease raises significantly.

Gingivitis, also known as gum inflammation, is a common bacterial infection of the gum tissue, and probably the first sign of gum disease. Cosmetic dentistry officials warn that Gingivitis usually occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene and can be very harmful to the appearance of your teeth. Harmful bacteria thrive on dental plaque which accumulates on and around gum tissue. If this plaque is not thoroughly cleaned out, the toxins produced by the bacteria will at first irritate and then infect gum tissue. It is for this reason one should regularly attend a dentist or oral hygienist to have a build-up of plaque and tartar removed.

There are various symptoms of Gingivitis. Not all of them can be present at any one time. The first sign to watch out for is Halitosis - bad breath. This would occur as a result of breakdown of gum tissue. Therefore, if you have Halitosis which is also accompanied by gum tenderness or gum bleeding or even looseness of gum tissue, then you need to consult your dentist.

Another signs to watch out for is a sign of loose and malpositioned teeth. Teeth malpositioning, in adults, usually occurs as a result of jaw bone loss or jaw bone damage. This is also known as Periodontitis and it is particularly troublesome. Periodontitis usually occurs as a result of loos or broken gum tissue, where harmful bacteria were able to enter the gum issue and slowly eat away the roots and jawbone. Sounds frightening and it is, as this could lead to your teeth at first loosening, then malpositioning and then, inevitably, falling out. The consequence of this can distressing and costly as any lost teeth may have to be replaced with dental implants. Therefore, if you notice that some of your teeth loosen or start to move out of place consult your cosmetic dentist and he or she would be able to tell you how serious the problem is and what treatment is available. Once any disease has been treated and eliminated, you may need to consult your cosmetic dentist once more regarding repair of any deformity which occurred as a result of Periodontitis.

The last sign of gum disease is gum abscesses. Therefore, if you notice some sort of swelling or a lump on your gums, then you also need to contact your dentist as soon as possible to have it checked and treated.

What dental treatment is available?

Do not experiment with any ‘over the counter’ medicines as you may be waiting here some very valuable time. Visit your cosmetic dentist or dental hygienist and have you teeth cleaned and polished as this would remove any build-up of plaque and tartar on which harmful bacteria thrives. If necessary, a root cleaning will have to be carried in order to help the healing process. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need more than one treatment.

In some sever cases surgical involvement will be necessary in order to remove any pockets of gum or repair any areas of destroyed gum tissue. This may sound scary, but this is a reasonably routine procedure in cosmetic dentistry. Therefore, once the repair of gum tissue is completed, healing processes can begin.

Correct home aftercare will also be essential after the dental treatment as you may find your gums to be sore. Ask your dentist which mouthwash or toothpaste would be best for you. Alternatively, you could boil a pint of water at home and add approximately one table spoon of sea salt to the water. Let the water cool. Once the water reaches comfortable temperature, rinse your mouth with it approximately three times a day. Also try to massage your gums with a super soft brush but try to avoid any injured areas. This home treatment should help the healing process.

Avoid eating any hot, cold, spicy, acidic and even sweet foods for a while so to exclude any unnecessary irritation. And if you follow this aftercare regime, your gum tissue is likely to heal much quicker leaving you happy and pain free.

Prevention of gum disease.

Proper oral hygiene is the simple way to prevent gum disease and tooth loss. Good oral hygiene should involve using a good quality, medium-hard toothbrush and brushing your teeth in correct manner i.e. brushing from gums to teeth, from up to down, for at least three minutes. And any hard to reach areas, such as in between teeth should be cleaned out with dental froth or dental tape. This routine should ideally be repeated after every food consumption. If such routine is not followed, the end result could be tooth loss and costly dental implants.