The number of bacteria in your mouth right now is greater than the number of people on Earth. Once those germs get onto your gums, it’s the start of gum disease. That will never happen to me you say. Well, let’s look at the facts.

1. More than half of all adults have at least the early stages of gum disease.

2. About 90% of adults have gum disease during their lives.

3. If you have diabetes, you are at higher risk for gum problems. Because poor blood glucose control makes gum problems a lot more likely.

4. Gum disease can start at any age. Anybody who has diabetes is at greater risk than those who don't.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, there is a lot you can do to fight gum disease.

1. Learn how gum problems start.

2. Brush your teeth at least twice a day

3. Floss your teeth at least once a day

4. Look for early signs of gum disease.

5. Visit your dentist at least twice a year.

Next Look out for the Plaque Attack

When you have gum disease, germs work to destroy your gums gingival and the bone around your teeth. It starts with plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of food, saliva, and germs. Plaque loves to settle at the gum line. Once there, germs get busy making your gums red, tender, and likely to bleed.

Your goal when brushing and flossing is to clean away plaque. When plaque stays put, it hardens into tartar. Tartar builds up under your gum line. More plaque forms over the tartar, and only your dentist or dental hygienist can get tartar off your teeth.

If plaque and tartar are not cleaned away, you will develop gingivitis, so even gentle brushing can cause your gums to bleed. This is the first stage of gum disease. You can fight gingivitis with:

1. Daily good brushing and flossing habits.

2. Having your teeth cleaned at least twice a year by your dentist.

If you ignore gingivitis, the gum disease gets worse.

The more severe form of gum disease is called periodontitis. When you reach this stage, your gums begin to pull away from your teeth. Pockets form between your teeth and gums. These fill with germs and pus, and deepen. When this happens, you may need gum surgery to save your teeth. If nothing is done, the infection goes on to destroy the bone around your teeth. The teeth may start to move or get loose. Your teeth may fall out or need to be pulled.

Diabetes can also be a Culprit

As if this is not enough, diabetes can make things worse

Diabetes may weaken your mouth's germ-fighting powers. High blood sugar levels can help the gum disease get worse. At the same time, gum disease can make diabetes harder to control.

Often gum disease is painless. You may not even know you have it until you have some serious damage. Regular dentist visits are your best weapon. While gum disease may not hurt, there are warning signs to watch for.

1. Bleeding gums when you brush or floss. This bleeding is not normal. Even if your gums don't hurt, get them checked.

2. Red, swollen, or tender gums

3. Gums that have pulled away from teeth. Part of the tooth's root may show, or your teeth may look longer.

4. Pus between the teeth and gums (when you press on the gums).

5. Bad breath.

6. Permanent teeth that are loose or moving away from each other

7. Changes in the way your teeth fit when you bite.

8. Changes in the fit of partial dentures or bridges.

If you have any of the above, I strongly advise you to see your dentist.

Brushing and Flossing

The three main steps in fighting gum disease are brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Ask your dentist or hygienist to show you the correct way to brush and floss.

Brushing

A toothbrush can only clean one or two teeth at a time. Allow about 3 minutes of brushing to clean all your teeth well.

1. Use a brush with soft bristles and rounded ends. Soft bristles are less likely to hurt your gums.

2. Angle the brush against the gum line, where teeth and gums meet.

3. Move the brush back and forth with short strokes. Use a gentle, scrubbing motion.

4. Brush the outside surfaces of the teeth. Do the same for the backs of the teeth and chewing surfaces

5. Brush the rough surface of your tongue to remove germs and freshen your breath.

6. Remember to brush your gums too.

7. Get a new toothbrush when the bristles are worn or bent, about every 3-4 months.

Flossing

Few people really enjoy flossing. But if you don't floss, you're only doing half the job of cleaning your teeth and gums. Flossing cleans away plaque and bits of food from between your teeth and below the gum line. It gets places your brush can't reach. Floss at least once a day.

1. Break off 18 inches of floss and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the rest around the same finger of the other hand.

2. Hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and index fingers. Leave about an inch between them.

3. Use a gentle sawing motion to get the floss between your teeth. Never snap the floss into the gums.

4. When you get the floss to the gum line, curve it into a C-shape against one tooth. Scrape up and down on the sides of each tooth to remove plaque.

5. As floss gets worn and dirty, move to a clean section and continue. Don't forget the backsides of your rear teeth.

6. When you're done brushing and flossing, rinse your mouth with water.

If you have arthritis in your hands, trouble moving your fingers, or if you have bridgework in your mouth, a floss holder might help. Ask your dentist about tools to make flossing easier for you.

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