Dental Hygiene

And you thought all you needed was a toothbrush!

Did You Know?

• Gum disease is extremely common and affects 3 out of every 4 adults over the age of 35 in the UK.
• The main symptoms of gum disease are sore, bleeding gums during brushing.
• Gum disease, not tooth decay, is the biggest cause of tooth loss.
• Only 60% of women in the UK aged 45 can claim to have all their own teeth.
• Gum disease isn't just something that happens in later life, more than half of teenagers have some form of gum disease.
• Smoking causes 50% of all cases of gum disease in the UK.
  
  According to studies some 40% of the UK adult population has gum disease.  This in itself is a staggering figure but as a British Heart Foundation study reported, gum disease - also know as periodontitis - is linked with heart disease.
  
  It was already known that during the body's reaction to infection, inflammation causes changes in the arteries which can lead to strokes and heart attacks.  The study also found that if bacteria enters the bloodstream it can affect the way blood vessels dilate.
  
  At St. Ann's we always stress the importance of oral hygiene to our patients and highly recomment regular hygienist visits.  As more research is finding links to ill health from gum disease we have developed our hygienist appointments to give a more comprehensive consultation.
  
  Gum disease is now linked with strokes, respiratory infections, osteoporosis, uncontrolled diabetes, pre-term or low birthweight babies.
  In addition to brushing and flossing regularly there are a number of advanced oral care products available.
   
• You wouldn't leave food in the fridge to rot, so don't leave it between your teeth.......   FLOSS DAILY