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Like building a house on rock, healthy gums Essex are the foundation of healthy teeth. It is possible to lose a tooth without any cavities or damage to the tooth itself due to unhealthy gums, so how do you keep your gums healthy?

There are many minor issues that commonly occur with poor hygiene and damage to gum health. Chronic mouth ulcers, sore spots, or gingivitis, often seen as scarlet inflammation of the gums and minor bleeding during brushing, are some of the more common ones.

All these issues can be treated with a visit to our hygienist and a change in lifestyle, but in the event that it progresses to full blow gum disease, known as periodontitis, things can become more challenging.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is often a gradual process that goes unnoticed by the patient, but the obvious signs of highly inflamed gums and an unpleasant odour to the breath is apparent to others. Even the chronic gum soreness may have become completely normalised by the patient.

Gum recession makes it sounds like the gum tissue has moved, but much like hair recession, the retreating gum line is not the movement of gum tissue, it is the loss of it and the greater the loss, the less likely and longer it will take to recover. If enough of the gum is lost, then the teeth can no longer remain stable in the jaw and they will begin to wobble and the tendons which bind them are destroyed. The final stage of gum disease may result in the total loss of any remaining teeth.

Stabilisation and recovery

Stabilisation is the first priority in treating an advanced periodontal infection. Recovery is not a rapid process, but one that occurs with diligent oral hygiene over many months. During the recovery phase, regular measurements of pocket depth are required, monitoring the progress and intervening in the event of flaring symptoms. Treatment starts with a course of antibiotics as well as a chlorhexidine based mouthwash as the first step back to healthy gums Essex. Often, a scale and polish is required, as calcified tartar on the teeth is usually the starting point of periodontitis, acting as a safe haven for invasive bacteria and would be a source of reinfection if not addressed and removed.

Talking about gum disease with friends and family

If a patient has got to the point of severe gum disease, there must be an element of neglect involved. It can be an awkward and sometimes embarrassing subject to bring up, but failing to do so will only allow the condition to progress and make tooth loss more likely. At our clinic we want to support healthy gums Essex and provide a non-judgmental supportive environment for those suffering from dental aversions, needing help.

If you think you or one of your family members could use the help of our clinic, please feel free to get in contact. We are happy to answer any further questions either online or over the phone. We are operating normally within government guidelines.

There are some visible and physical signs that help you to identify whether you are caring for your gums enough or if they are in need of some extra attention in order to maintain appropriate oral health for your general wellbeing. By having regular checkups, we are able to inform you as to whether you have healthy gums Essex, or if you are in need of some treatment and care to heal this very important feature of your smile that is extremely underrated.

Your gums are the cushions that protect and support your teeth in your jaw. This is a very important role and it is critical that you care for them as much as you care for your teeth. You can do this by brushing regularly (but not over-brushing or brushing too hard), flossing and rinsing often. This all helps to remove harmful food debris from between your teeth, bad bacteria that can multiply and cause infection and plaque, which sticks to both teeth and gums.

Signs of unhealthy gums

There are a few visible signs that will indicate to you and your dentist that you do not have those healthy gums Essex that we would like to expect. These include having red and swollen gums, having gums that bleed when you push on them or blood when you spit after brushing your teeth.

Some physical signs that you should be aware of include pain of any kind in your gums, excessive heat associated with that redness, swelling and other indicators of infection.

Unfortunately, these visible and physical signs are not all that common in helping you and your dentist to identify whether you have healthy gums Essex because you may not present with any of these symptoms before your condition can deteriorate. It is therefore imperative that you seek professional guidance and allow frequent examinations to ensure that your smile is as healthy as can be at all times.

What can happen if your gums are unhealthy?

Gingivitis is a disease of the gums which can be identified by bleeding of the gums among other signs. If gingivitis is left untreated, then this can lead to a more serious condition called periodontitis, which affects more than the gum it concerns the entire area surrounding the tooth.

These infections can lead to loss of your teeth and are therefore vital that you avoid them, especially because with appropriate care, it is relatively easy to keep your gums healthy.

How do I keep my gums clean and healthy?

By attending regular appointments with your dentist as well as having professional cleaning consultations with a hygienist, you will be able to maintain good oral hygiene and the subsequent health of your gums.

We recommend that you visit both a professional who can clean your teeth as well as a dentist to provide you with regular check-ups twice a year, to ensure that we do not miss any subtle changes between appointments.

If you want to ensure that your mouth is as healthy as it can be, book an appointment with us so that we can help you achieve your oral health and hygiene goals.

Barriers of protection

Here at Crofts Dental Practice, we often feel that our gums aren’t given enough credit. Whilst a set of pearly white teeth may be impressive, and a desirable trait for many, the truth is that without a healthy set of healthy gums in Essex, a smile is only good at face value. Our gums are vital for strong, healthy and long-lasting teeth, and act as a protective barrier and seal around your teeth to keep out food and plaque build-ups. Natural, healthy gum tissue is a coral shade of pink – or naturally darker depending on your skin pigment. However, if plaque builds up around your gums due to poor oral hygiene, it may lead to gums becoming red or inflamed and blood appearing during brushing or flossing.

Identifying onset gingivitis

Here at Crofts Dental Practice, we believe in doing all we can to ensure our patients maintain healthy gums in Essex, and believe that a critical aspect of doing so is in educating them on addressing the onset issues of gum disease and other indicators that they must boost or alter their dental hygiene routines. If you notice blood when brushing your teeth or flossing, it is typically the first indicator of something known as gingivitis. Another early indicator of gingivitis is constant bad breath. Gingivitis is caused by a build-up of plaque or tartar around the patient’s gums which causes them to become red, puffy or inflamed. If it is recognised early by one of our trained, professional dental hygienists here at Crofts Dental, then the appropriate measures can be taken to restore healthy gums in Essex.

Understanding the risks of periodontitis

However, if gingivitis is ignored or left untreated, it can often develop into periodontitis – or ‘gum disease’. This is a far more serious issue, which is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults across the world. The name ‘periodontitis’ translates to ‘inflammation of the area around the tooth’ and is caused by bacteria forming around the gum of the patient which goads their immune system to emit toxins, this then causes the gums to become inflamed. If periodontitis is left untreated, this inflammation and infection can often spread to the root of the tooth and result in the entire tooth being infected and often having to be removed. Additionally, a link has been found between untreated periodontitis and other health issues such as heart disease.

Keeping your gums healthy

Thankfully however, periodontitis can generally be avoided with good oral hygiene and regular brushing. Medicated mouthwashes and care and attention when brushing and flossing are the most commonly recommended tips to avoid plaque build-ups which could cause gum disease. However, we may also recommend you undertake a ‘scale and polish’ service from our expert dental hygienists. This is a preventive dental process which eradicates any build-up of plaque or tartar on your teeth, as well as any superficial stains – leaving them cleaner and healthier and thus minimising the risk of gingivitis developing. The scale and polish service we offer here at Crofts Dental Practice is not a purely cosmetic treatment such as tooth whitening, but rather one which aims to maximise the patient’s oral health, although they may find their teeth to feel far cleaner and appear healthier as a result of this treatment.

When you think about oral care, you probably think mostly about making sure to keep your teeth clean. You brush round them carefully to remove plaque. You floss between them to remove more plaque and trapped food.

But the mouth is more than just a set of teeth and it’s important to keep all of it in good condition. Your gums, in particular, play a vital role in the health of your teeth and if your gums are not in good shape, in the long run, your teeth won’t be either.

It’s easy to forget about the gums. They look like they don’t do much, those pink fleshy bits that your teeth protrude out of. But they deliver oxygen in the blood supply to the teeth and they help hold them in place and protect them from bacterial attack.

Gum disease

This is every bit as damaging to the teeth as decay. And, like decay, it starts off sneakily. Gum disease, in its first stage, doesn’t really hurt and you may not be able to see it either.

When gum disease starts, your gums start to become red and swollen, but it can be hard to see the redness. You may only realise something is wrong if you see blood when you brush your teeth. This is a sure sign of gum disease and it would be a good idea to call us at Crofts Dental Practice in Essex and get an appointment so we can take a look at your gums.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is caused by the acids given off by dental plaque. The acids irritate and inflame the gums. If it is not dealt with in its early stages, it gets worse.

Treating early stage gum disease is a matter of better brushing and flossing, and a good session or two with the hygienist.

Ignore it and your gums will start to recede, exposing your tooth roots, which then get attacked. This can lead to painful infections and eventually, even tooth loss. Late stage gum disease is much harder to treat, so, if you are seeing blood when you brush, call us now so that we can take a look.

When we think of problems at the dentist, we tend to focus on having fillings, or losing teeth, because of tooth decay. Of course, tooth decay is problem, especially in kids, but in adults the main culprit behind tooth loss is in fact gum disease.

At Crofts Dental Practice, one of our main focuses is on making sure that our patients have healthy gums in Essex. We know that with this particular problem, prevention is so much easier than cure. Gum disease may start off in the gum but it spreads, and when it spreads, that’s when the real problems start.

Are your gums healthy?

If you have healthy gums, they will be pink and firm, holding your teeth securely in place. Healthy gums do not hurt or bleed when they are brushed. If that’s happening, then you are at risk of early gum disease.

Early gum disease

Gum disease comes in two stages. We call the early stage gingivitis. It’s hard for patients to spot because gingivitis doesn’t necessarily hurt. Perhaps it will make your gums bleed when you brush them, perhaps it won’t. Perhaps your gums will be red and swollen. If you want to be sure of tackling it early (and believe us, you do), then you need to come for regular dental check-ups and allow us to spot it. What you really want to avoid, if you can, is letting gingivitis get to the next stage.

Advanced gum disease

Technically known as periodontitis, this is when the gum disease spreads into the tissues and bones that support the teeth. You are likely to develop bad breath, loose teeth, have an unpleasant taste in your mouth and even collections of pus under your gums or teeth (abscesses). Periodontitis can lead to teeth falling out.

Gum disease and prevention

You can easily avoid gum disease by maintaining a diligent oral health routine. Brush the teeth carefully for at least two minutes last thing at night and at one other time during the day. Floss and use interdental brushes, which come in various sizes, especially if you have bigger gaps between your teeth.

Healthy gums are a prerequisite for healthy teeth. Not only do they provide the support needed for your teeth to function as they should, but they also act as a barrier that covers and protects the bones of your teeth from harmful bacteria. Unhealthy gums provide an environment for these bacteria to reproduce in, multiply and eventually compromise your teeth.

At Crofts Dental Practice, we understand that healthy teeth and gums not only give you a beautiful smile, but also indicate good oral health and hygiene. Our experienced dentists will help you avoid or reverse gum disease with thorough preventive care that allows us to identify gum issues early and treat them accordingly. Even, if you are diagnosed with gum disease, our dentists will help you overcome it in order to maintain your healthy smile for longer.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease is a condition that affects the soft tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. Gum disease is usually the result of plaque build-up above or below the gum line. Common causes of gum disease include poor oral hygiene, smoking, crooked and misaligned teeth which are hard to clean, pregnancy, diabetes, certain medications as well as genetic predisposition. Gum disease causes the gums to swell and bleed. If left untreated, a serious gum disease known as periodontitis can infect your gums and the bone underneath your teeth causing them to loosen and eventually fall out.

Healthy gums in Essex

Fortunately, gum disease is easily avoided by taking care of your teeth and gums at home as well as with regular dental check-ups. Basic oral hygiene practices like brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, rinsing with an antiseptic mouth wash and staying in good physical health, are all great ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year for a deep cleaning, including scaling and polishing, is also important, since no matter how diligently you brush and floss your teeth at home, plaque tends to build up on your teeth over time.

Protect your smile

Keeping your gums strong and healthy is a great way to maintain your overall health. If you suffer swollen of bleeding gums, please contact us today.

Crofts Dental practice has been maintaining healthy teeth and healthy gums in Essex for over 30 years. Our friendly, experienced and professional team are always on hand to ensure that your experience at Crofts Dental Practice is top class.

Every member of our staff is highly trained to ensure you have a seamless and stress-free journey through the dental treatment process. That could be for cosmetic procedures, such as dental implants or preventative treatments, such as ensuring healthy gums in Essex.

Recent renovations and upgrades to our surgery offer comfortable and safe surroundings, keeping Crofts Dental Practice firmly in touch with all modern advances and techniques in dentistry. The practice now uses fully computerized systems to aid with diagnosis and treatment planning. This could mean that you may be able to see what results you can expect before treatment is started. Whether you require cosmetic improvements or healthy gums in Essex, you can look forward to a warm welcome at Crofts Dental Practice.

Dental hygiene

Dental hygiene treatment at Crofts Dental is delivered by a dental hygienist who will help to remove any plaque from your teeth that may have built up in certain areas, as well as specialising in ensuring our patients keep healthy gums in Essex.

Healthy gums are essential to keeping your oral hygiene standard high. Dental hygiene at Crofts Dental Practice also forms part of treating gum disease and bad breath. If you have a bridge, denture or a dental implant you will have specific hygiene needs that our hygienists will be able to help you with.

Gum disease

There is a proven relationship between gum disease and health complications such as a stroke and heart disease. Studies have shown women with gum disease also show higher incidences of pre-term, low birth-weight babies.

Other research has shown more than 90% of all systemic diseases have oral manifestations, which can include swollen gums, mouth ulcers, dry mouth and excessive gum problems. Such diseases can include diabetes, leukemia, various cancers, heart disease and kidney disease. Your dental hygienist appointment at Crofts Dental Practice can help you, not only with your healthy gums in Essex, but also with spotting potential life-threatening illnesses as early as possible.

With proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy throughout your life. The healthier your teeth and gums are, the less risk you have for tooth decay and gum disease. For healthy gums in Essex, Crofts Dental Practice are here to assist you.

There are five steps to keep an exceptional level of oral hygiene for your teeth and gums:

1. Brush at least twice a day. Use a soft-bristled brush and toothpaste that contains fluoride. If you can afford the cost it may be worth investing in an electric toothbrush. Place your toothbrush at a 45° angle against your gums and brush each tooth 15 to 20 times. It is important to move the brush gently, using short strokes. Don’t scrub.
2. Flossing regularly will ensure food does not get stuck between your teeth, as well as minimising plaque buildup.
3. Rinse your teeth twice daily with an antibacterial mouthwash.
4. Eat foods that are good for your teeth. For healthy gums in Essex is it a good idea to minimise the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume.
5. By regularly visiting your dentist at Crofts Dental Practice,Essex, healthy gums can be maintained. You can choose to see a dentist, or our dental hygienists to keep in tip-top oral health.

Keeping healthier gums

Your gums are like cushions for your teeth. They surround and protect your teeth and help to support them. Looking after your gums is just as important as looking after your teeth. Without healthy gums, your teeth will not survive and may begin to fall out.

You must be aware of red and swollen gums that bleed when you brush them. This could be a sign of gum disease. It is known as gingivitis and if left untreated can develop further into a type of infection known as periodontitis. This affects the entire area surrounding the tooth.

To keep healthy gums in Essex, we recommend you come in for regular hygiene appointments check-ups at Crofts Dental Practice. Drop into the surgery today and find out how our dedicated team of dentist, dental nurses and hygienists can help you keep your gums in great condition and you in good oral health.