| How
does plaque cause gum disease? |
| Who
is at risk for gum disease? |
| What
should I do if I think I have gingivitis? |
| What
is periodontitis? |
| What
symptoms should I be looking out for? |
| How
do I help prevent periodontitis from developing?
|
| |
| If plaque is not regularly
removed from teeth, including the areas below the
gum line, it can irritate the gums, leading to gum
disease. Regular brushing and cleaning between teeth
is essential to help prevent gum disease. |
|
| How does
plaque cause gum disease? |
If plaque is left to
build up, the bacteria produce toxins that can
irritate the gums and damage teeth. The earliest
stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This
is an inflammation of the gums, which may cause
swelling, tenderness and bleeding when brushing
or flossing. |
|
|
| Who is
at risk for gum disease? |
| Gum disease can affect
any age group, including children. However, it
most often affects adults. In fact, about three
out of four adults over age 35 have some form
of gum disease now or have had it in the past.
Your risk of getting gum disease increases if
you smoke or have certain medical conditions.
It is therefore vital to keep your dentist informed
of your general health.
|
|
| What should
I do if I think I have gingivitis? |
| Fortunately, with proper
oral care every day and regular visits to the dentist,
you can help prevent gingivitis from ever developing.
It is best prevented and, in most cases quickly
healed, by following a routine to remove plaque
every day - this is a two step process of brushing
with a soft bristled toothbrush and cleaning between
teeth. Together they prevent plaque from building
up on tooth surfaces and under the gum line.
Gingivitis is not a permanent condition. It can
be reversed, because no permanent damage has occurred
to the bone supporting the teeth.
|
|
| What is
periodontitis? |
| Left untreated, gingivitis
may progress to a more severe form of gum disease
called periodontitis, or periodontal disease. Periodontitis
damages the bone and gums that support the teeth.
Once periodontitis develops, the damage can't be
reversed: only a professional treatment program
and an improved level of daily oral care at home
can keep it from getting worse.
If you have periodontitis your dentist will provide
you with a tailored program for maintaining your
teeth and gums, to halt the progress of the disease.
Oral-B offers a range of oral hygiene products
that are safe to use if you have periodontitis,
including the Oral-B range of power toothbrushes.
Because our power toothbrushes have been proven
to remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush,
you can improve your level of oral hygiene, which
is a critical factor in controlling gum disease.
|
|
| What symptoms
should I be looking out for? |
| Periodontitis may initially
occur without many visible symptoms, therefore regular
dental exams are critical for early diagnosis.
Common symptoms of periodontitis are red, swollen
gums that have started to pull away from the teeth,
creating pockets. This is often associated with
tooth sensitivity, a feeling of intense pressure
between the teeth or bleeding when brushing or
flossing.
In more advanced stages, you may experience gum
recession, root decay, pus between teeth and gums,
and loosening or eventual loss of teeth.
|
| Early
Periodontitis |
Moderate
Periodontitis |
Advanced
Periodontitis |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
| How do
I help prevent periodontitis from developing? |
| By adopting a thorough
oral care routine you can help avoid periodontitis
- here are some useful tips: |
 |
Brush
thoroughly twice a day, with a soft bristled
toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste - preferably
in the morning and before bed |
|
Clean
between your teeth daily to remove plaque
from areas your toothbrush can't reach |
|
Visit
your dentist and hygienist regularly - at
least once every six months, for a cleaning
and exam |
|
Avoid
smoking and using tobacco |
|
Dentists
recommend that you change your toothbrush
at least every three months or earlier if
the toothbrush looks worn, because research
shows that a new toothbrush can remove more
plaque than one that's three months old1 |
| |
| 1 |
Warren PR et al. J Clin Dent 2002; 13: 119
- 124 |
|
| |
