No, gum disease (periodontal disease) is not rare; it's extremely common, affecting a significant portion of adults worldwide, with nearly half the adult population experiencing some form, and it's a leading cause of tooth loss. While mild gum disease (gingivitis) is easily treatable with good hygiene, it can progress to severe periodontitis if ignored, highlighting its seriousness despite its prevalence.
Gum disease is a very common condition where the gums bleed, become swollen, sore or infected. Most adults in the UK have gum disease to some degree and most people experience it at least once. It's much less common in children.
Gum disease is very common in Australia, with 3 in every 10 adults having moderate to severe gum disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque, which is a sticky layer of germs that constantly builds up on teeth. The longer the plaque builds up, the greater the risk of gum disease.
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly to remove plaque. Also schedule regular dental visits for professional cleanings and routine checkups. More than 42% of all adults older than 30 have some form of gum disease and almost 8% have severe periodontal disease. The rate of gum disease increases with age.
Clean your teeth carefully twice a day for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste – ask your dentist to show you a good brushing method to remove plaque. Floss once a day to remove small bits of food from between your teeth, which will help to prevent the build-up of plaque.
It is only possible to reverse gum disease when it is in its early stage, which is gingivitis. So, when is it too late to reverse gum disease? Advanced periodontal disease is the stage when it's not possible to reverse the disease.
Do-it-Yourself: Home Remedies for Gingivitis
No, your life is not over if you have gum disease. However, it is crucial to take action. With prompt treatment, improved oral hygiene, and ongoing care, you can manage gum disease and significantly reduce its impact on your overall health.
Overall, 42.2% (standard error, ± 1.4) of adults 30 years or older in the United States had total periodontitis, consisting of 7.8% with severe periodontitis and 34.4% with nonsevere periodontitis. The prevalence of nonsevere (mild or moderate) and of total—but not of severe—periodontitis increased with age.
1. According to data from the CDC, nearly 50% of adults aged 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease, with statistics showing around 42% of adults in this age group experiencing periodontitis.
The "dentist 2 year rule" refers to two main concepts: the 2-2-2 oral hygiene rule (brush 2x/day for 2 mins, see dentist 2x/year) or the Australian Child Dental Benefits Schedule, a government program providing benefits for eligible children over a 2-year period. For general adults, the actual recommended checkup interval varies, but 1-2 years is common for healthy patients, while high-risk individuals need more frequent visits.
Tooth decay is the most common reason for hospital admissions in 5 to 9 year olds; however we know it is mostly preventable if we make some simple changes: Cut down on foods and drinks high in sugar.
Ask for an urgent dentist appointment if:
You or your child have gum disease and other symptoms such as: very sore and swollen gums. teeth becoming loose or falling out. ulcers or red patches in your mouth.
Once the disease progresses to periodontitis, the damage to bone and soft tissue cannot always be undone. However, the condition can be controlled with proper treatment to stop further deterioration. This involves removing bacteria, reducing inflammation and maintaining strict oral hygiene routines.
Some studies have reported that chewing gum increases blood flow to the brain by 25-40%. Continuous chewing also activates your hippocampus, the part of your brain that's crucial to your memory and learning. Better concentration — Besides boosting your memory, chewing gum can also increase your focus and alertness.
A patient's mental health status influences dental hygiene to some extent. Poor oral hygiene due to stress can promote plaque accumulation and over time the occurrence of gingivitis and periodontitis [6].
Aggressive periodontitis can occur in children as young as 3 years, and sometimes even younger. By age 20, individuals with especially aggressive gum diseases can lose teeth.
A review of studies showed that, in general, electric toothbrushes do decrease more plaque and gingivitis than manual toothbrushes. After three months of use, plaque was reduced by 21% and gingivitis was reduced by 11%. Oscillating (rotating) toothbrushes seem to work better than just vibrating toothbrushes.
Left untreated, gum disease can take a toll on your oral and overall health. The infection can spread to other areas of your mouth and other parts of your body, increasing your risk for several health conditions, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Don't wait for it to happen. Yes, if you have periodontal disease, you'll have it for life, leading you to wonder how long you have left until you lose your teeth. However, you don't have to lose your teeth at all – but you do have to be consistent with your treatment and at-home care.
But, if you're hearing 4's or higher from the dental hygienist, it's time to take action to improve your gum health and prevent advancing periodontal gum disease (periodontitis). The good thing is, larger periodontal pockets can be treated and reversed and overall gum health improved.
A tooth might be too far gone if: The decay has destroyed most of the tooth structure. There's a severe fracture below the gumline. Bone loss has left the tooth without support.
Here are a couple of top picks that are suitable for treating and preventing gingivitis.
Brushing the gums gently but thoroughly, especially at the gum line, should be part of everyone's daily dental hygiene routine. This helps keep the gums strong, pink, and free of inflammation.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is not only good for your teeth; it's an excellent vitamin for gums, too. Vitamin C helps keep the connective tissues in your gums healthy and strong, which hold your teeth in place—which means deficiencies can lead to bleeding gums and gum disease.