Gum disease is the most common cause of premature tooth loss in adults living in Great Britain. This may fill you with fear, but we have good news. Gum disease is preventable. Here are 5 top tips to take on board to keep gum disease at arm’s length:

1. Visit your dentist: if you haven’t been to the dentist in the last 6-9 months, we urge you to get in touch and book an appointment. When you have a quick and painless check-up, your dentist will have a good look at your teeth and gums and make sure everything looks ok. If you do have signs of gum disease, the earlier they are treated, the better.
2. Brush your teeth: it’s really important to keep your mouth as clean as possible to prevent gum disease. We recommend brushing twice a day, every day using circular brush motions and a gentle action. Angle the head of your brush so that you can clean along your gum line.
3. Floss or use inter-dental brushes: you can only clean a certain amount of the mouth with a normal brush, and flossing or using inter-dental brushes are effective ways of boosting your cleaning power. They enable you to clean the gum line and the gaps between the teeth, reducing the risk of plaque.
4. Be mouth aware: if you know which signs and symptoms to look out for, you can reduce the possibility of mild signs turning into something more serious. If you notice symptoms like swollen or sore gums or you spot traces of blood when you brush your teeth, call your dentist and make an appointment. Mild gum disease is much easier to treat than advanced gum disease.
5. Eat well: your diet has such a strong influence on your oral health. Try and moderate your intake of sugary and acidic foods and avoid snacking to keep your teeth and gums in shape.