It is possible that younger people, with the aid of easily accessible information via the internet, are now more aware of gum disease<\/a> than our older patients. For many in their later years, gingivitis was something that they may have given their dog chewing sticks to prevent, unaware that they may themselves, also be suffering with it!<\/p>\n Unlike tooth decay, where the patient may suffer from a painful toothache, gum disease can be relatively \u2018silent\u2019, at least until it becomes more advanced.<\/p>\n What to look for<\/strong><\/p>\n There are a few potential signs that all may not be well with your gums, although these are not always present. Potential symptoms of gingivitis, or early stage gum disease, may include:<\/p>\n \u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Red, or sore, gums<\/p>\n \u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bleeding when you spit after brushing your teeth<\/p>\n \u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inflammation<\/p>\n \u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Receding gums<\/p>\n \u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bad breath<\/p>\n Gingivitis can often be treated in a straightforward manner, either through the improvement of your personal oral care regimen, or through a programme of ‘scale and polish’ treatments by our Bedford dental hygienist.<\/p>\n Periodontitis<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If your gingivitis is not treated, your gum problems will become more advanced, with more serious results. When periodontitis occurs, not only are your gums affected, but the bone that hold the teeth roots in place can also become damaged. This can result in the loss of teeth unless treatment is sought. Symptoms may include:<\/p>\n \u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Persistent bad smelling breath<\/p>\n \u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pain when chewing<\/p>\n \u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Loose teeth<\/p>\n Treatment for periodontitis is available but requires an invasive procedure, often performed by a specialist dentist rather than a hygienist. This involves cleaning below the gum line down to the roots of the teeth. As you can imagine, this is not a particularly pleasant procedure, especially when it likely could have been avoided with early intervention.<\/p>\n Avoiding gum problems<\/strong><\/p>\n