Conditions
Gum Disease
Gum disease begins as a build-up of bacteria and waste products on your teeth that irritate your gums. The first stage of the condition is called gingivitis. When gingivitis is not treated it causes your gums to recede and allows further bacteria to become trapped. If no treatment is given, the tooth’s roots can become visible and it can begin to wobble and weaken, often resulting in the teeth needing to be removed. Generally, gum disease is caused by poor dental hygiene, but there are other factors that heighten your risk levels. These include smoking, diabetes and as a result of hormonal changes around pregnancy. Treatment is normally carried out by a dentist or hygienist and involves removing the built up plaque and tartar, but prevention through regular brushing and flossing is much more effective.
Comments
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments are reviewed before they are published.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
hello im wonder what i have got on my gum i have a black mark underneeth my tooth but not near the tooth. its not a spot or a cut. please help…?
hiya , im a 40year old woman i have receeding gums my front teeth are loose and one of them has just fallen out im due to start work this morning i've have been told that i can only get denture's as i can't arrord to get implants as they cost thousands of pounds is there any way you can get the implants on nhs i feel so embarresed can you help please
i have gum diesease for many years but the denist has made me so frightened to go back that now my gums and teeth hurt quite bad and i do not want any one coming any where near me i would love to laugh and smile again and i can not look for work as my teeth puts off employers
Hello,
firstly all of my bottom teeth gums are receeding and its receeded so far you can see the whiter parts of my teeth and they are starting to wobble manly my front bottom ones. everyone says my teeth are perfect and are straight in line but its my gums im worried about i saw a doctor but they said i had gingeritus and he gave me a specail toothpaste. i brush my teeth everyday anyway although my gums bleed and they are recceding its not getting better can you help me? im only female and 15 years old im not old enough to loose all my teeth :(
Hi
i have like a spot on my gum that has puss come from it. Its a bit like a spot you would have on your face. Do you think this is a cyst? how would be the best way to treat this without going to a dentist?
please help me…
my gums are receding and my crowns are loose..iv'e noticed a crack above a front incisor where my gum used to be…i cry all the time when not at work..and i fear i will wake up with no teeth…my mouth is not unnattractive but soon will be…i work but can,t afford a dentist..due to an on going divorce i,ve been left with a hefty mortgage and with the current housing climate unable to sell..my outgoings are more than my income..i,m not ready for false teeth but would really love it if you can help me…
hi my names katie.i have very bad swollen gums they bleed when i brush but also when im asleep.its getting really bad now im to scared to see my dentist i cry just thinking about it im a single mum and im 20.last time i had this problem i went the dentist and he said it might be down to stress.i was wondering is there anyway you could help me.please.thank you
hi, i dont know where to start. i have three really bad, rotten teeth. two need extracting an 1 needs a root canal. the other teeth in my mouth need fillings an other stuff. i have a really really bad fear of dentists and the thought of sedation and being put aslep terrifys me too. i cant overcome any of this. can any1 relate or help me?im ashamed when i smile, i jus want nice white teeth an to not feel so uncomfortable thinking what do people think of me. i need help with this its a really bad issue.
hi, i have been using a new toothbrush because the bristles were new they were stiffer than what my teeth were used to. After brushing for the first time with my new toothbrush my gums bled. At the time i presumed it was because I brushed them too hard with a new toothbrush. However, the bristles have softened now and i have been brushing mush more gently but my gums still bleed at the slightest touch. Recently they bleed just from me running my tongue accross them in my mouth. Its almost impossible to brush my teeth properly so they are not being cleaned properly. i don't know how to strengthen my gums or stop them from bleeding.
Im not sure anymore if they are bleeding because i have damaged them and they are not heeling or because of some other reason. Please help….i need to be able to clean my teeth properly again!
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here