Gum disease is not something to be underestimated. If left untreated, these conditions can even lead to tooth loss - so it is very important to react quickly enough. Do you want to find out what the causes are, what the symptoms are and what steps need to be taken to cure diseased gums? Read our article.

What are the causes of gum disease?

The main cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. If you don't take care to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day (and preferably after every meal), plaque will build up on your teeth, which, over time, will turn into tartar (for more on this topic read HERE). The bacteria that accumulate there promote gum disease.

Oral hygiene is fundamental, But unfortunately, sometimes even this will not help us in the fight against gum disease. Some of these can be complications from other conditions or from medication.

The health of your teeth is also not helped by vitamin deficiencies (especially vitamin C), smoking and drinking alcohol. Remember, too, that bleeding gums also affect pregnant women as a result of hormonal changes.

As you can see, to effectively warn against gum disease, you need to take care of your diet as well (check out our article: "9 products to help you keep your teeth healthy"), and for proper oral hygiene. See how to brush your teeth properly.

Gum disease - symptoms

The first symptom of gum disease is bleeding gums. Of course - the gums can bleed due to micro-damage caused by brushing too hard, but this should not be underestimated. If your gums are bleeding, this is certainly not a good sign and you should consult your dentist as soon as possible.

A rapid response will help to locate the cause and undertake treatment more quickly. Bleeding gums will not necessarily indicate disease at the oral level. They are also often a symptom of diabetes or liver disease. You can read more about bleeding gums in this article: "Bleeding gums - causes and treatment".

Further symptoms of gum disease are swelling, pain and tooth sensitivity. Sometimes you will be able to see that the gums are separating from the teeth. React immediately, as your teeth may then start to move!

Other symptoms include unpleasant breath or an aftertaste in the mouth, but also suppuration.

How to treat individual gum diseases?

The good news is that these days gum disease is not a sentence - it can all be cured. It will require time spent visiting the dentist, but that's about it. Find out how to treat specific gum diseases.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is the most common condition - its first symptom is bleeding and pain. When you make an appointment with your dentist for treatment, you can expect your dentist to perform a dental hygienist (you can find out what the procedure, or rather treatments, consist of here. HERE). Often dentists also prescribe anti-inflammatory or antibacterial preparations and, in advanced cases, antibiotics. You can read more about gingivitis here: "Gingivitis - symptoms and treatment".

Paradontosis

It takes time for periodontitis to develop. Remember, however, that if you don't start treatment early enough you may end up loosening your teeth and eventually losing them.

If you feel that pockets have appeared underneath your teeth where food debris is getting in, really don't wait any longer. At this stage, the condition is still treatable.

How is periodontitis treated? The first step is scaling, followed by surgical removal of these pockets. This is not always necessary - in some cases, the removal of the calculus alone will suffice. The dentist will also introduce appropriate medication.

At our practice in the UK for the treatment of periodontitis, we also have another way. Read about it here: "Modern periodontitis treatment in the UK with Vector Paro Pro".

How much does the treatment cost?

With gum disease there is no single amount, it all depends on the specific condition but also the dedicated treatment. It is best to make an appointment and find out about the options.

Many people delay going to the dentist until the last minute. Sometimes this is due to dentophobia (a fear of the dentist - about which more HERE), but many patients choose not to undergo treatment for fear of high costs.

At our practice, we have decided to go a step further and allow our patients to receive treatment in instalments!

Let us give you an example of a comprehensive periodontitis treatment. With Vector Paro Pro (for two arches), spreading your treatment over 12, interest-free instalments, you will pay just £21 per month. If you want to take advantage of our instalment scheme, all you need to do is provide us with your home addresses for the last 3 years. Of course - you must be employed and have a bank account. A good credit score is also essential. Our system is fully secure and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 619628). So if you have been putting off treatment until the last minute, we encourage you to sign up for an appointment as soon as possible. Contact us!