If you were to ask a hundred people what the number one cause of tooth loss was in adult life, they would inevitably say tooth decay and extraction.

However, this is not the case. The number one culprit relating to tooth loss in adults is gum disease.

Also known as gingivitis and periodontal disease, gum disease can be insidious, especially if you are someone who avoids dental check-ups. It can appear as swollen gums, minor bleeding when brushing and even a bruised sensation on the teeth when chewing food.

So, how do you keep your gums and gum pockets healthy?

At Benhill Dental Practice, our team of hygienists and dentists will help you to get and maintain healthy gums Sutton, to ensure that your teeth stay where they are needed for as long as possible. It is not as complicated as many dental patients think to keep your gums healthy, so call us if you need any guidance.

And without further ado, our team has written a brief guide into the methods you can use to get healthy gums Sutton.

Water flossers

Water flossers are relatively new on the scene of oral health and are a great way to get and maintain healthy gums Sutton.

As the name suggests, these devices remove plaque with jets of water, which can be easier on sensitive gums as it reduces bleeding. Water flossers do take some getting used to, though, so you may end up drenched the first few times you use one but don’t worry; your gums will thank you!

Floss and tape

Dental floss and/or dental tape are steadfast options you can use to remove plaque from your teeth and from under your gums.

Of course, if you are new to flossing or find that you bleed every time you do it, this can mean that your technique is not correct. So, our team at Benhill Dental can help you to get your technique right and remove all of that nasty plaque!

Electric toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are a fantastic way to keep gum disease away.

As they oscillate and have round heads, they can get closer and even underneath the gum line. Here, they remove plaque and debris that can lead to periodontal disease.

And, as they are so widely available, they are likely going to be cheaper than you think, so invest in one!

Lifestyle

Your oral health can be drastically impacted by your lifestyle, which can negatively influence your gums if there are areas that are not maintained.

For instance, if you smoke or drink alcohol excessively, this can cause your gums to recede, potentially causing your teeth to look longer, as well as exposing your tooth roots.

Our team can offer you advice on your lifestyle choices if we feel that they are negatively impacting your oral health, as well as providing smoking cessation help.

Check-ups!

Last but certainly not least, in order to keep your teeth in top-notch condition, we always advise our patients to attend check-ups with our team twice a year, so we can track any gum disease that you may have. This will also allow us to prescribe toothpaste and mouthwashes that can help manage and reverse earlier instances of gum disease. It will also allow us to refer you to our hygienist if needed, for a scale and polish, which can minimise and help with more severe presentations of periodontal disease.