Embarrassing Illnesses

We asked Liana Zoitopoulos, consultant in special care dentistry at King’s College London Dental Institute, what she would want to know about gum disease.

How do I know if my gums are healthy?

Healthy gums should be pink and about 1mm thick. If your gums are red, inflamed and they bleed during brushing, you probably have gingivitis. 

How can I treat my gingivitis?

Good oral hygiene will prevent your bleeding gums from progressing to more serious gum disease and help them become healthy again. Visit your dentist, who will motivate you and give you tips on oral hygiene. Your dentist or hygienist can also give your teeth a thorough cleaning to remove built-up plaque.

What is good oral hygiene?

Good oral hygiene habits include brushing your teeth thoroughly, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste, and using dental floss every day. You should also use interdental brushes if your dentist has suggested it. 
These clean bigger gaps between your teeth that cannot be cleaned by flossing. Fluoride mouth rinses are also a good idea.

Don't be alarmed if your gums are bleeding when you brush. The only way for the bleeding to stop is for you to keep brushing thoroughly. 

If you don't change your habits and clear gingivitis, it can eventually lead to periodontitis.

What is periodontitis and how is it treated?

Periodontitis is a disease of the bone that surrounds the teeth. It is a severe form of gum disease often caused by poor oral hygiene.

If you have periodontitis, your dentist may suggest you have surgical treatment. They will give you plenty of local anaesthetic so that the gums and the teeth are numb. A flap of gum will be raised and the bone will be exposed. The dentist can then thoroughly clean that area.