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We at Widnes Dental Practice are making it our priority to fight gum disease! We’re still seeing hundreds of patients year on year falling victim to this avoidable disease! Gum disease for most patients is easy to cure and even easier to avoid! So why are so many people still developing it?
With that in mind let's take a look at what our dentist in Widnes has to say on the topic.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is the infection that develops when food debris and bacteria aren’t cleaned away from the gum line. These bacteria let off bad acids that attack gums and cause the body to go into a fight off reaction, which is why they bleed and inflame! Then the body is sending blood to the area in order to protect itself.
Unfortunately we have not yet evolved to the point that our bodies understand that in doing this we will lose our teeth, which is why it is so important to get the infection cleared and the gum healthy again.
How can we cure gum disease?
This will very much depend on how far down the scale of severity your infection is, but for the most part people can reverse the damage of gum disease with a quick trip to the hygienist. The hygienist is slightly different from the dentist in Widnes as their job is to purely focus on the health of your gums.
What happens with the hygienist?
During a hygienist appointment you will talk through your symptoms and our hygienist will examine your gums, they will record their findings on the system and then proceed to perform a scale and polish.
A scale and polish is a special clean that can only be performed by our hygienist and not our dentist in Widnes. They use special tools and techniques to get deep down under the gums and remove any plaque build-up. This process will then mean that your gums can return to their natural, pink healthy selves literally within a matter of days.
Your hygienist will talk through your current oral hygiene routine looking out for anything that might be the cause of the gum disease such as not brushing enough or not flossing. They will then offer you support on how to avoid the development of gum disease in the future.
For those who are experiencing a more serious level of gum disease there are lots of steps that can be taken including: antibiotics, root canals and sometimes even removal.
Signs and symptoms of gum disease
If you aren’t sure if you have gum disease then the first port of call is always to book in for a check-up so we can have a good look at what’s going on. That being said, if you're experiencing any of the following it could be a sign of gum disease: bad breath, red gums, swollen gums, bleeding gums, receding gums, loose teeth, pain in the teeth and/or gums.
If you want to book in for a check-up you can do so via our website or over the phone, our receptionist will be happy to help.