Remember the condition of your teeth and mouth may be an indication of problems with your general health and you should see a doctor and/or dentist if symptoms persist.

Watch animations and read helpful information about dental treatments below. The animations which bring dental treatments alive to patients are by Medivision, the leading worldwide provider of aesthetic and dental animation to the medical profession – for more information visit the Company website at www.medivision.co.uk

Top Tips

* Consult your dentist/hygenist every three to six months
* Floss teeth each night
* Change toothbrush monthly
* Brush carefully
* Purchase an electric brush – they have a superior action on teeth and gums
* Invest in a Water-Pick to flush teeth clean
* Use a natural antiseptic mouth wash
* Give up smoking – not only does it contribute to bad breath and stained teeth and tongue but it also affects healing
* Drink plenty of water
* Ensure diet includes teeth-protecting nutrients

Gum Disease

Gum disease can shorten life expectancy: Nine out of 10 adults have some degree of gum disease, according to recent dental surveys. Inflamed gums are a powerful predictor of your odds of dying prematurely from heart disease and stroke.

German researchers recently discovered new evidence that middle-aged men with severe gum disease are four times more likely to have a stroke than their peers with healthier gums. American researchers have identified a similar link with heart disease – people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to develop narrowing of the coronary arteries supplying the heart.

The reason for the link remains unclear but it’s thought that inflammation in the mouth accelerates the formation of fatty deposits within arteries.

Doctors also believe that gum disease can increase the odds of developing diabetes and even bringing on premature labour. Pregnant women with severe gum disease are four times more likely to go into labour early.

Mild gum disease is often painless. Early tell-tale signs are redness at the gum margin (where the gums meet the teeth), and bleeding after brushing. More severe cases can cause obvious swelling of the gums, bad breath and loose teeth – one in seven of the population loose all their teeth before the age of 50 because of
gum disease.

The key to preventing gum disease is good dental hygene. You should:

Gently brush your teeth and gums twice daily, preferably with an electric toothbrush. Women are better at this: 80 per cent of women brush their teeth twice a day, compared with just 60 per cent of men.

Floss – generally only a fifth of Europeans do.

See the dentist regular. Go for regular check-ups. See the dentist annually, and the hygienist every six months.

Give up smoking. Smokers are four times more likely to have severe gum disease than non-smokers, a problem compounded by the fact that nicotine can mask the early signs of trouble (it constricts blood vessels, making bleeding less likely).

For more information, visit www.dentalhealth.org.uk