How to spot and avoid gum disease

Have you ever experienced bleeding gums? It’s not a sight that you expect to see first thing in the morning while brushing your teeth. So, what are the reasons your gums bleed and more importantly, what can you do to keep your gums in tip-top condition?

Occasional bleeding of the gums can be caused by either brushing your teeth too vigorously or wearing dentures that don't fit correctly, but often it’s a sign that your gums are inflamed.

There are a number of problems that may cause your gums to be inflamed, but a build-up of Plaque is the most common. A build-up of Plaque provides an opportunity for harmful germs to spread that will attack healthy tissue, so when you brush or floss your teeth, your gums become irritated and bleed, this is known as gingivitis.

Gingivitis is painless condition but it forms the first stage of gum disease. Some other signs may include swollen, red or tender gums; persistent bad breath or taste; teeth that are loose; and a change in the way your teeth fit when you bite. At this stage the disease can be treated and completely reversed - it is so important not to ignore your bleeding gums.

If not removed properly, plaque will eventually harden into tartar. At this point, gingivitis has progressed into the more serious condition called periodontitis. Periodontitis can cause tooth loss and may affect your confidence, and your overall health.

Whilst brushing and flossing every day and routinely seeing your dentist is the first step to great oral care, you may benefit from a visit to a dental hygienist.

Here at Blyton Dental, our dental hygienists are specially trained to work as part of the dental team to give additional care to patients and importantly prevent and treat gum disease. This includes professionally cleaning your teeth by removing plaque and tartar particularly from important areas that are difficult to reach by brushing alone.


Blyton Dental’s Fresh Breath Clinic

At Blyton Dental we are passionate about helping you to create and maintain a happy, healthy smile which is why we run our Fresh Breath clinic. 

 We firmly believe that prevention is better than cure and we aim to minimise treatment by educating our patients on the best ways to achieve optimum gum health, in conjunction with regular hygiene appointments.

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Clare, our experienced dental hygienist and Emily, who is a dental therapist can show you the best way to keep your teeth plaque-free and stop the progression of gum disease before it becomes a serious problem.  They will advise correct home care to keep your teeth and gums healthy and eliminate bad breath, enabling you to go about your daily life with improved confidence.

Lifestyle habits such as drinking tea, coffee, and red wine can leave visible surface stains on teeth, making you feel self-conscious about your appearance. At Blyton Dental, we offer a 30-minute deep cleaning and stain removal that will remove superficial stains caused by eating and drinking and give your smile a boost.

 

Contact us today to make an appointment with one of our warm, enthusiastic and experienced hygienists. We look forward to your visit.