Facts about gum disease
More people suffer from gum disease than any other oral care problem. You might be surprised to learn just how common gum disease is:
The best way to avoid gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene. If gum disease is not treated in the early stages it can progess and once it becomes more severe the gums may not grow back - so it’s vital to look after them:
- 90% of the population are estimated to suffer from gum disease at some point in their life
- gum disease - not tooth decay - is the largest single cause of tooth loss
- More than half of all teenagers have some form of gum disease
- Around 50% of all pregnant women suffer dental problems at some point during their pregnancy – the most common being pregnancy gingivitis. Changing hormone levels can make gums more susceptible to plaque attack
- Gum disease affects 3 out of every 4 adults over the age of 35 in the UK
- Only 60% of women in the UK aged 45 can claim to have all their own teeth
The best way to avoid gum disease is to practice good oral hygiene. If gum disease is not treated in the early stages it can progess and once it becomes more severe the gums may not grow back - so it’s vital to look after them:
- Use floss or interdental brushes at least once a day to clean between teeth and remove plaque
- Brush teeth thoroughly twice a day for at least two minutes
- Visit your dentist regularly
