NEARLY half of all adults in the UK are suffering from a type of gum disease.
And in some cases, the disease can seriously impact quality of life.
AlamyIn its early stage the disease is fully curable from home[/caption]
Not only can it lead to tooth loss, but there is a growing body of evidence suggesting the disease is linked to life-threatening conditions like dementia.
Thankfully, the disease can be fully curable from home – if caught early enough.
And as dentistry becomes ever more expensive in the UK, at home remedies are more needed than ever before.
How to know if you have gum disease
There are four different stages to gum disease – and the earlier you can catch it, the better.
Healthy gums are firm to the touch.
But when you have gingivitis – the earliest stage of the disease – your gums might look red, puffy and might bleed when you brush or floss, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
When it develops to the next stage, known as mild periodontitis, the gums might begin to pull away from your teeth, creating gaps around them.
Nasty bacteria can hide in these gaps.
If mild periodontitis is left untreated, it can develop into a moderate form of the disease, the Clinic said.
When this happens, the bacteria hiding in the gaps between your teeth and gums begins to erode the ligaments, soft tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place.
At this moderate stage, you may begin to notice bad breath and even some pain.
From here, the disease can worsen into advanced periodontitis.
This can cause your teeth to become loose and eventually fall out.
How to treat each stage of gum disease
It’s important to know which type of gum disease you have before you try and treat it.
In its early stages, the disease can be treated at home.
But it’s still advised your dentist if you can.
According to NHS, you should brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day – spit after brushing, do not rinse.
It added: “Clean in between your teeth every day using floss or interdental brushes
“Make sure you replace your toothbrush every one to three months.”
And see a dentist and dental hygienist for regular check-ups, it explained.
There, your dentist might advise you to get your teeth cleaned by a hygienist.
However, if you believe the disease has progressed to the mild, moderate or advance stage, you could need more serious treatment which only a medical professional can provide.
You could need deep cleaning under the gums, antibiotics, teeth or gum surgery, the NHS said.