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Illness & Disease

Gum Treatments
Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth. Infection leads to a red, swollen and tender area. This area often bleeds when the teeth are brushed or the tender area is touched.

Gum disease occurs when large amounts of bacteria stick together to form a sticky substance called dental plaque. Plaque is found where the gum and the teeth meet. It can cause extreme irritation which leads to a red, swollen and tender area.

As the area becomes more swollen the gums separate from the teeth leading to the development of a pocket where more dental plaque lives and eventually damages the gum and kills the bone around the tooth.

Approximately 80% of Irish people have got some degree of gum disease with the level worsening as we get older.

Halitosis

Halitosis, better known as bad breath, is a common reason why people attend their dentist. In about 90% of genuine halitosis cases, the origin of the odour is in the mouth itself. The most common location for mouth related halitosis is the tongue.

Not all who think they have halitosis have a genuine problem and there are a number of simple effective measures to combat bad breath:

Gently cleaning the tongue surface twice daily is the most effective way to keep bad breath in control. Eating a healthy breakfast with rough foods helps clean the very back of the tongue.
Chewing sugarless gum can help with the production of saliva, and thereby help to reduce bad breath. Maintaining proper oral hygiene, including daily tongue cleaning, brushing, flossing, and periodic visits to dentists and hygienists.

 

Mouth wash

Mouth wash will help to freshen breath and fight tooth decay but should never replace regular brushing and flossing.

 

Mouth, head and neck cancer

Mouth, head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer in men worldwide with over 400 cases diagnosed in Ireland each year. It is mainly diagnosed in men and primarily affects older people but more women and young people have been diagnosed in recent years. If caught early your chances of survival are greatly increased and regular visits to your dentist will assist this as a routine visit includes a check for any abnormalities.

Mouth, head and neck cancer can affect your lips, gums, cheeks, tongue, palate, tonsil, throat (oropharynx), salivary glands, sinuses, nose and voice box (larynx).

Some symptoms to be aware of are:

A sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal
White or red patches inside your mouth
Difficulty chewing or swallowing food
Numbness of the tongue or face
Loose teeth
These could be symptoms of other ailments but if they persist longer than three weeks always attend your doctor or dentist.

To reduce your risk between visits to your dentist:

Don’t smoke
Limit your intake of alcohol
Use a lip balm that contains sun block
Eat a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables
Check your mouth regularly for changes, for example, when brushing your teeth
Visit your dentist regularly, even if you have no teeth and wear dentures

 

Diabetes and periodontal disease

Periodontal disease includes conditions known as gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (destruction of the tissues which hold the teeth in place). People who have diabetes are more at risk as they tend to have high or fluctuating blood glucose levels. They may also have more difficulty fighting the germs which cause it.

Periodontal disease can cause an infection which destroys the bone supporting your teeth if it is not detected or treated. As the gum disease progresses, symptoms might include tooth loosening or moving, bad breath, or bleeding gums.