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One of the more significant dental problems among Canadians is gum disease. Gum disease once only affected older adults, but that is no longer true. Numbers indicate that 83 percent of those between 20 and 79 years old have some form of gum disease, including gingivitis. The numbers are worse for those 20 to 39 years old, with 90 percent of adults having some form of gingivitis or gum disease, according to Statistics Canada.
Numbers show that 21 percent of Canadian adults suffer from more serious gum issues, including moderate or advanced gum disease.
The Canadian Dental Association states that 7 out of 10 adults will have gum disease at some point in their lives.
One of the biggest concerns for dental professionals like us at Versante Dental in Mississauga, Ontario, is that as many as 20 percent of Canadian adults are unaware that they have active gum disease. Gum disease is painless in its early stages, so many don’t realize they have it if they don’t go to the dentist regularly.
Dentists agree that the root cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. That is not saying people don’t brush their teeth or use mouth rinse. It means many aren’t consistently practising effective oral hygiene routines, such as brushing properly, flossing daily, or seeing their dentist twice a year. It isn’t a matter of having an oral hygiene routine. It is a matter of implementing an effective routine that combats gum disease.
How you brush matters as much as how often. Brush twice a day and floss once a day, and pay attention to technique:
Hold your soft-bristled toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gumline.
Use short circular motions to brush plaque away from the gum line.
Don’t scrub hard. That can cause gum recession.
Consider an electric toothbrush. Find one that has a sensor that lets you know when you are scrubbing too hard.
Finish by brushing your tongue. You can use a tongue scraper to remove more bacteria.
Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles are frayed.
You can make some simple lifestyle changes that will improve gum health.
Drink lots of water. Drink water throughout the day to wash food particles from teeth and gums.
Stop smoking or vaping. Nicotine, whether it is from tobacco products or in a vape, restricts blood from circulating in your gums. That reduces their ability to fight off bacteria and heal.
See your dentist at least twice a year. Tartar can only be removed in a professional dental cleaning. Regular exams catch gum disease early when it’s most treatable.