Spitting out toothpaste and noticing blood in the sink can be a worrying experience. As can noticing the taste of blood in the mouth but it can be due to a number of reasons. In most cases this is easily treated and will eventually make your teeth and gums stronger and healthier.

The main cause of bleeding gums is gum disease. In its milder form this is known as gingivitis, but when it becomes more serious it is called periodontitis. It occurs when the gums are covered and attacked by plaque and bacteria. These release acids, which gradually erode the gum tissue and cause irritation and infection. This can often cause the gums to bleed as a result of being weakened by an infection. This kind of bleeding gum acts as an indicator that you need to start paying more attention to your dental hygiene.

The gums can also bleed if you have recently started to floss or pay more attention to your dental hygiene. Flossing for the first time will stimulate areas of the gums around the base of the teeth that may not have been cleaned for a long time. They will be very sensitive and may bleed as a result of coming into contact with the dental floss. This will usually stop after a few days of flossing as the gums become cleaner and firmer.

However, there is a more serious side to bleeding gums. In some extreme cases, bleeding gums may be the result of oral cancer. If the bleeding is otherwise unexplained this could be a sign that something is seriously wrong. If you are unsure why your gums are bleeding i.e you haven’t recently started to floss for the first time, then it is always important that you visit a Molesey dentist for a check up. The chances are it will be nothing serious but it is always better to be safe than sorry

Keeping your gums healthy isn’t an easy job, and you are the only person, who can do this important job in oral care, says a Molesey dentist. The most important thing to remember is that once your gums recede the damage is done and is irreparable, not even your dentist can save them. The best you can hope for is to be able to keep the periodontal disease at bay and slow its progress. Just brushing alone won’t solve the problem of keeping the gums healthy, it needs much more of an effort and that must include flossing in between and around the back of the teeth. Plaque is the enemy of gums, and a build up of plaque will not just weaken the root of the tooth, but it allows the gums to become soft and that’s when they are prone to cuts. Once a gum is cut then bacteria can infect the inside and that’s when the problems really start, if an infection isn’t dealt with straight away then a more serious problem like an abscess will occur. Receding of the gums leaves the tooth and its root exposed to the build up of tartar, this is a hardened version of the dead bacteria that starts off producing acid that eats away at our enamel. Tartar is scraped off when we go for our 6 monthly check up, but by then the damage is usually already done. Flossing at night is the most important job in oral hygiene care, for when we sleep we stop producing saliva that neutralises acid production. It is when we are asleep that the most damage is done to our teeth and gums. The gums are as important as our teeth are, as they protect them from the harshness of what we put in our mouths, therefore it is a good idea to look after them well.

Dental plaque goes hand in hand with periodontal disease, but they are not the sort of bed fellows that you want to be associated with says a Surbiton dentist. Plaque is the dead bacteria that has already attacked our mouth area and produced acid that will wear down the enamel on our teeth, it sounds disgusting and it is, so let that thought always be with you and help you to keep it at bay. If left to accumulate on the teeth plaque will turn into tartar, which although it is removed every 6 months at our dental check ups, it will damage the tooth root and weaken it. This is the most common reason for premature tooth loss in the U.K. Gum infections are caused by the same process, and it is all down to the food that we leave in our mouths after eating. Flossing and the neutralisation of acid production will go a long way to preventing this process happening in the first place. Once periodontal disease occurs it will eat away the gums and cause irreparable damage to the part of the gums that protect the root of the tooth. Gingivitis is the worse case scenario, and this is a serious incurable problem. The best any dentist can hope to do for you is to keep the disease at bay, and prevent it progressing along the gum line. Washing the mouth constantly by drinking water throughout the day, will also keep acid production down and subsequently the production of plaque. Brushing in between the teeth should be a part of normal oral care on a daily basis, which will assist the flossing in keeping these areas clean and residue free. It is part of every dentists program of preventative care, ask your dental nurse for more advice on keeping plaque down in the mouth.

Gum disease is extremely common in the UK, affecting roughly three quarters of all adults above the age of 35. This shocking statistic is backed up by another one in the fact that gum disease, not tooth decay, is responsible for more lost teeth in the UK. These are worrying facts and made all the more concerning that gum disease is becoming more common among younger patients, especially teenagers who are not cleaning their teeth sufficiently.

There are two types of gum disease that are categorised by the severity of the symptoms. Gingivitis is the milder form of the disease characterised by irritated or sore gums, and in some cases, bleeding gums. This can mostly be addressed by improved cleaning methods, which will prevent any further damage. However, if gingivitis is left to worsen and not addressed by attention from the dentist and improved cleaning, it will become periodontitis which is a much more serious concern. Periodontitis has symptoms ranging from infected tissue, receding gums and loose teeth. It needs to be treated with special medical attention that can include anti-biotics to kill the infection and even hospitalisation in severe cases.

If gum disease is not spotted early by a Surbiton dentist and treated accordingly it can result in tooth loss, and with nearly half the people in the UK over the age of 45 having lost at least one tooth it is clear that we may not be taking the threat seriously enough.

The message is clear. To protect our gums and teeth we must do more to keep them healthy by cleaning them properly and keeping up regular appointments at the dentist.

Smoking can have a massive detrimental effect on your health in general and specifically on your oral health. It is responsible for causing oral cancers, gum disease and tooth decay and cavities. Smokers are far more likely to have dental problems and loose teeth than non-smokers.

Patients may see a dentist more regularly than a doctor and as dentists will be able to see visible evidence of smoke damage, they can play an important role in helping patients to kick the habit. Most smokers suffer from periodontal disease at some point, as well as other dental problems, and a dentist is well placed to offer advice about how to avoid these problems by quitting. By giving up, patients greatly increase their chances of having healthy teeth.

Dentists are increasingly receiving training in smoking cessation, meaning that they will be able to serve a dual role of dentist and cessation councillor. Using their unique position they can warn patients about the dangers of smoking to their oral health and can offer advice on the most successful ways to give up. They will also be able to inform patients about the greatly increased further health risks of smoking such as heart disease and lung cancer. The state of a smoker’s teeth might be indicative of this further damage and the brief consultation with a dentist can help to make them aware of this fact.

Sunbury dentists are trained, or receiving training, in smoking cessation. They are taking advantage of their unique position and regular contact with patients to offer the most effective and up to date methods of quitting. Hopefully they can greatly improve patients’ dental health and health in general.

Smoking has an immense detrimental effect on oral health causing oral cancers, gum diseases and poor wound healing apart from causing plaque, tooth decay and dental caries. Studies have shown that smokers are more prone to losing their teeth faster than non-smokers.

Of all the medical practitioners, dentists can play an important role in aiding a person to quit smoking. Since most smokers suffer from periodontal disease, a dentist is always approached for regular check-ups which give them a chance to help kick the habit. Recent research studies have shown that quitting smoking along with gum treatment gives a person healthier gums.

Dentists in Sunbury can also perform the twin role of a smoking cessation counsellor which is very helpful for people who are chain smokers. A dental practitioner or a dental hygienist can hold counselling sessions and is at a much better advantage to advice people on the harmful effects of smoking like development of oral cancer, severe periodontal disease and tooth decay which ultimately leads to premature tooth loss.

Dental practitioners must also educate their patients that poor oral health caused by smoking can lead to other diseases like heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other respiratory problems. It is a common fact that patients often listen to their doctor’s advice, hence the brief time spent with the dentist can actually be turned into an advantage by talking to the patient about the health benefits of giving up this dreadful habit. Showing pictures of periodontal diseases in other smokers can also be helpful in gaining the patient’s attention and promote smoking cessation.

There are literally millions of people suffering from gum disease due to improper oral care. Also called periodontal disease, this oral condition has actually been linked to heart attack. In order to avoid such serious complications and risks, it is considered smart to visit your Shepperton dentist regularly.

Periodontal or gum disease is usually characterized by the following symptoms:

• Bad breath
• Tender or swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums
• Loose teeth

A lot of studies have revealed that individuals with periodontal disease are four times more likely to have a heart attack compared to those who do not have such oral condition.

Oral bacteria that cause gum disease enter the blood stream and attach to the coronary arteries particularly on the fatty plaques. This could increase build up and result to inflammation of the heart blood vessels, which in turn could result to increased risk for heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular problems.

Although periodontal or gum disease is currently considered to be a serious condition, it is important to remember that it is preventable and treatable. Preventive measures include:

• Regular visits to  dentist
• Avoiding tobacco
• Eating well-balanced diet
• Proper home oral care

On the other hand, treatments for periodontal or gum diseases that can minimize risk for heart attack include:

• Professional dental scaling and cleaning
• Antibiotics
• Mouthwash
• Surgery
• Bone or tissue grafts

You need not put yourself at risk for heart attack and stroke. Visit your dentist today and ensure 100% oral health.

Gingivits (i.e., gum disease) happens when bacteria and plaque are not properly removed with personal oral hygiene, and creates an overload that cannot be defended by the inherent defences of the body. When you visit your Surbiton dentist, they will perform a complete oral examination and take radiographs as part of your initial visit. Your gums will be evaluated by periodontal probing, and a charting of your mouth will be made. Your dentist will be looking for signs and symptoms of gum disease. Signs of gum disease are bleeding on probing, redness, swelling, visible pus, and gingival and/or periodontal pockets Gum disease may originate because of harmful bacteria and dental plaque, but can be made worse by systemic factors. Gum disease is reversible if it is treated before spreading to the underlying bone. As soon as your dentist sees any loss of your oral bone surrounding your teeth (i.e., alveolar bone), your problem will then be called “periodontal disease;” this is not reversible but can be arrested. If you do not visit your dentist on a regular basis, your gum disease and periodontal disease can go unnoticed until it is too late. Some of the results of gum disease and/or periodontitis are loosening or loss of teeth, abscesses, bad breath and spontaneously bleeding gums.
To help prevent gum disease, you should perform proper oral hygiene regularly; twice daily brushing and flossing, and use recommended dental care products. If you gum disease progresses to periodontal disease, you may be referred to a periodontist to have this problem treated. The periodontist will perform the treatment necessary to resolve this problem, but it is up to you to maintain the health of your mouth. So, visit your Surbiton Dental Clinic for a check-up and find out if you do have the early stages of gum disease or periodontitis!

Let’s find out what is gum disease. It is an infection of the tissues around the teeth and is associated with swelling and soreness .Gum disease now a day is very common and is seen irrespective of the ages .This is considered one of the most common causes of tooth loss in the elderly. If treated in the beginning, the dentist in Worcester park say that90% of the further complications can be preventable. Mainly there are two types of gum disease.
Gingivitis.
Gingivitis means there is inflammation of the gums. In this stage the gum is red in colour , swollen and very often they bleed while cleaning If left untreated usually the gums get separate from the teeth leaving a pocket behind.Periodontal disease.
Untreated gingivitis can turn in to periodontal disease. The number of types of periodontal disease is many and all of them affect the tissues that supporting the teeth. The dentist in Worcester Park will always emphasize importance of good oral hygiene to their clients because the Neglected periodontal disease can finally leads to lose teeth. Researchers say that more than tooth decay periodontal disease is the reason for the loose teeth.
Causes.
The reason for the gum disease is plaque. Plaque is a coating of bacteria, mixture of food that forms on the surface of the teeth daily. Though most of the bacteria in plaque are harmless, a few of them have been shown to be the main causes of gum diseases. Other than this plaque there are few other factors that can lead to gum disease are
Smoking, there is an insufficient amount of oxygen in the blood stream and the blood flow to the gums are minimized so the infected gums fail to heal. Diabetes; Delay in healing of the gums .Hormonal changes; that is during pregnancy.
Signs and symptoms of gum disease.
Very often people does’t realizes that they have this problem because it is often painless and some people will have no symptoms.
Others will have bleeding gums while brushing the teeth, the gum are swollen and red in colour and few will have complaints of unpleasant taste or bad breadth
Management /treatment.
The treatment depends on the severity of the infection. In case of pure gingivitis the recommended treatment is cleaning the teeth thoroughly to remove the scale .Couple of sittings are required to clean all the surface of the teeth effectively. An antiseptic mouth wash will be prescribed. The patient will be taught how to brush and floss properly.
In case of severe infection the patient might require extensive scaling to get rid of the plaque. Several appointments with the dentist are required .If the gum disease is a serious one the patient might require surgeries by a periodontonist After all for a successful treatment it is very important to follow the dentist’s advice and make sure to remove the plaque daily.
Prevention of gum disease.
‘Prevention is better than cure’. The professionals in Worcester park says that Prevention is done by controlling the plaque by proper cleaning and flossing your teeth regularly. Quit smoking if you have the habit. Regular visit to the dentist and follow his suggestions..