Can A Dental Hygienist Help Me With Gum Disease?

Gum disease is incredibly common in the UK. In fact, it’s so common that nearly every British adult suffers from some form of it whether mild or more severe. We’re going to explore with you the signs of gum disease, how you can prevent it at home, and how a dental hygienist could answer your gum disease prayers and provide some relief!

How a dental hygienist will help prevent and treat gum disease

While you may be able to better your dental hygiene routines at home to help prevent gum disease, there are no teeth cleaning like those performed by your dental hygienist. When plaque hardens it forms tartar, a very stubborn and unpleasant substance that sticks to your teeth and irritates your gums. It is brown-yellow in colour and contributes to bad breath, amongst other dental health problems.

Tartar can only be successfully and reliably removed by a professional dental hygienist, which is why we recommend two appointments a year to remove stubborn plaque build-up. This professional cleaning also has the effect of revealing your teeth’s natural whiteness, helping to brighten your smile too! Not only this, but your dental hygienist will also provide you with lifestyle advice and home care recommendations so that you may maintain healthy teeth until the next time we see you.

Preventing gum disease at home

Sometimes, the early signs of gum disease can be lessened and treated with at-home care. Proper dental hygiene routines, including brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing before bed, is always a great place to start when seeking to prevent gum disease. Twice-daily cleaning (and once daily flossing) are the best and easiest ways to remove food debris and plaque from your teeth. Using an anti-sceptic mouthwash might also be a suitable step for you, as this will help rinse away residual bacteria while also leaving your breath minty-fresh.

The causes of gum disease

Gum disease is commonly caused by the build-up of bacteria, food debris, and plaque that all sit at the base of the teeth astride your gum line. They irritate the gums, causing them to inflame and swell and eventually pull away from the offending area. This leads to them pulling away from the tooth itself, sometimes causing this area to become wobbly and loose. If gum disease is left to its own devices, it can even lead to tooth loss and infections.

The symptoms of gum disease

The chances are that at some point in your adult life, you’ve noticed one or more of these symptoms while you brush your teeth or eat something very hot or cold. They’re incredibly common symptoms and because they’re common, they’re often overlooked or not taken seriously.

• Sensitive gums when brushing, drinking, or eating
• Inflamed, swollen, red, or puffy gums
• Gums that are receding from the bottom of your teeth
• Loose teeth because of these receding gums
• Bleeding when brushing or eating something coarse

If you recognise some of these symptoms, even just a streak of watery red in the toothpaste you spit out in the sink, then you’re experiencing some form of gum disease. It’s best to seek help as early as possible into its development, because dental staff can help stop it in its track and limit the damage and discomfort that may otherwise be ushered in.

Book a dental hygienist appointment in Stourbridge

Don’t let gum disease develop into tartar, tooth loss, or extractions. Save yourself the discomfort by booking your dental hygienist appointment in Birmingham today with Lion Dental Centre. Book online or speak to a member of the team on 01384 376336 to achieve happier, healthier gums.