Healthy, great looking teeth start with healthy gums. But, according to research carried out by Birmingham University, 90% of adults in the UK have some form of gum disease.
Shocked? Well, the good news is that most problems with gums can be avoided with regular brushing and check-ups. Phew. So let’s take a closer look at some of the most common issues and the tell-tale signs to watch out for…
Tell-tale signs of gum disease
Indicators that you could be suffering from gum disease include:
- Redness – gums should be pink rather than red
- Swelling
- Bleeding when brushing or flossing
- Bad breath
- Pain or tenderness
What can cause gum problems?
Whilst some gum related issues can be a result of ageing or heavy-handed brushing, the root cause of most concerns is usually a build-up of plaque around the teeth from poor brushing.
Other factors that can increase your likelihood of gum problems are a poor diet, smoking, diabetes, or a weakened immune system.
Common gum diseases and problems include:
Gingivitis – inflammation of the gums, usually caused by a build-up of plaque. Although often painless it can cause swollen, bleeding gums and bad breath.
Periodontitis – if gingivitis isn’t resolved, the inflammation can spread into the surrounding bones and ligaments holding your teeth in place. This is called periodontitis and, if left untreated, can cause gums to pull away from teeth, creating pockets that easily trap plaque and lead to infection.
Abscess – a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection in a gum pocket, causing pain and swelling.
Receding gums – this is when the root of the tooth becomes exposed as the gum line recedes, causing increased sensitivity.
How to avoid gum problems
You can reduce your chances of gum disease by ensuring you stay on top of the plaque and tartar on your teeth. This can be done by:
- Regularly brushing and flossing your teeth
- Attending routine appointments with your dentist and hygienist
- Stopping smoking – as not only does this increase your chances of gum disease it also makes it harder to treat the problem.
If you are in any doubt about the health of your teeth and gums, you should always seek advice from your dentist.
Gummy smiles
But what if none of these are your issue? Perhaps your gums are perfectly healthy – there’s just too much of them!
A gummy smile, which describes a smile that displays excessive amounts of gum above the teeth, is another common affliction in the UK, with an estimated 25% of people plagued by this problem.
If you’re one of them, help is at hand. Here at The Harley Street Smile Clinic, gummy smiles are our speciality and we can transform yours with our gummy smile makeover – and all in only a single 90-minute appointment!
How do we treat gummy smiles?
Our industry-leading treatment is carried out using a soft tissue laser. An experienced clinician will carefully remove a small amount of gum tissue, leaving your teeth looking longer and balancing out your smile.
The treatment also involves delicate contouring of the teeth and a whitening treatment, to ensure you are left with a radiant smile.
Fix your gummy smile today
Find out more about our gummy smile makeover now or why not request a free computer simulation to see just how big a difference we can make? Send a photograph of your smile to [email protected], and we’ll get back to you. Alternatively, to chat more about this or any of our treatments, you can call us on 020 7971 1909.