Most people know that they need to brush their teeth twice a day to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, this might not be enough, depending on what they eat and drink, whether they have habits that are damaging their teeth, or even if they’re using an inappropriate brushing technique.
These issues can all cause plaque and calculus to develop, which can lead to serious gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.
It’s important to understand how these problems develop and how you can prevent them to maintain a healthy mouth.
What are plaque and calculus?
Plaque is a soft, sticky substance that forms on your teeth, regardless of what food you eat. It is made up of bacteria and bacterial by-products.
Calculus or tartar is a hard, mineralised deposit that’s a bit like cement. It’s formed from the plaque in your mouth and the minerals in your saliva.
You can use a range of tools to prevent plaque and calculus forming, including effective brushing, flossing and other tools.
You should also get regular check-ups to check for any build-up. Your dentist will need to do a deep clean if necessary to remove this build-up.
What is gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease where plaque or bacteria build up on and/or between the teeth. It is reversible through good oral hygiene and six-monthly check-ups and cleans.
There are two main types of gingival disease:
Dental plaque-induced gingival disease – which can be caused by plaque, systemic factors, medications or malnutrition.
Non-plaque-induced gingival lesions – which can be caused by:
- a specific bacterium, virus or fungus
- genetic factors, allergic reactions, certain illnesses, wounds, or reactions to foreign bodies like dentures
- no specific cause.
What is periodontal disease?
If gingivitis is not treated, it will worsen into periodontitis. Unfortunately, periodontal disease is not reversible.
Periodontitis is a severe stage of gum disease where the gums pull away from the teeth and form gaps (often called ‘pockets’). Once the seal between the teeth and gums opens, a bacterial infection can get into the tissue.
This is commonly known as gum and jaw bone disease – a bacterial disease that affects the supporting structures of the teeth (gums and jaw bone). Periodontitis can break down the bone structure surrounding your tooth, which is why it’s a major cause of tooth loss in adults.
This is very serious, so you need to avoid the plaque build-up that creates gingivitis in the first place.
Causes of gum disease
- smoking
- poor oral hygiene
- diabetes
- hormonal changes
- medications
- illnesses and diseases, like HIV/AIDS, and associated medications
- poor diet, particularly those high in sugar.
Tips for avoiding gum disease
- Avoid sugary drinks and food.
- Brush at least twice a day with a manual or electric toothbrush, especially before you go to bed. Wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking anything acidic.
- Floss at least once a day to significantly reduce plaque build-up and gum disease.
- Mouthwash can be helpful to use with brushing and flossing to reduce gingivitis.
- Get regular check-ups every six months, or more frequently if you’re highly susceptible to gum disease.
