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Gum disease Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, June 2009.

Answers to questions about gum disease

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

I'm middle-aged and all my remaining teeth are porcelain or gold crowns. Do I still need to floss them?

Yes, you should still use floss to clean between your crowns and under your gum line to prevent plaque from building up.

Explanation

Although the visible surfaces of your teeth are made of porcelain or gold, plaque can still build up around the gum line in the same way as it would if you didn't have crowns. If any of your crowns have slightly rough edges, this could actually encourage more plaque to gather around and under the gum line. Therefore, you're just as likely, and sometimes more likely, to get gingivitis around crowned teeth.

The gold and porcelain surfaces of your teeth are artificial and can't decay. However, you still need to brush and floss your teeth carefully. Although you may not be able to see the edges of your crowns (usually the edges are tucked under the gum line to give the most attractive appearance), if plaque is left to gather between your teeth, it will eventually cause decay on the root surfaces and underneath your crowns. If you have tooth decay, your crowns won't stay attached to them very well and may fall off. Tooth decay can also cause toothache.

It's very important to clean all your remaining teeth carefully whether or not they have a crown. Your dentist or hygienist can show you the correct way to brush, floss and use interdental brushes.

Further information

Sources

  • Chestnutt IG, Gibson J. Churchill's pocketbook of clinical dentistry. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2006
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I'm pregnant and have developed gingivitis. Will it go away after I've had the baby or will I always have it now?

Gingivitis is quite common during pregnancy, but you can get rid of it.

Explanation

If you're pregnant, you may be more likely to get gingivitis - the first stage of gum disease. If you already have gingivitis, pregnancy can make it worse. Pregnancy gingivitis is caused by the changes in your hormones.

As well as the pregnancy hormones, there may be other things causing gingivitis. If brushing, flossing and the taste of toothpaste are making you feel sick, you may not be caring for your teeth as thoroughly as usual. If you have been craving and eating sugary snacks, this can cause plaque to build up, leading to gingivitis.

After your baby is born, your gingivitis should start to improve if you're brushing and flossing effectively. You may find it difficult to make time for yourself during the first few weeks after your baby is born, but try to get back into the habit of twice-daily brushing and regular flossing as soon as possible. If you can, make an appointment with your hygienist for a scale and polish (a very thorough cleaning using special instruments). This treatment is safe if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you had gum disease before you got pregnant, it's likely that there is another cause as well. Therefore, giving birth won't necessarily improve your symptoms.

Further information

Sources

  • Mitchell DA, Mitchell L. Oxford handbook of clinical dentistry. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005
  • Chestnutt IG, Gibson J. Churchill's pocketbook of clinical dentistry. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2006
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I've just started at university and have suddenly developed very bad breath and painful ulcers on my gums. Is this gum disease?

It's possible that you have acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), also known as 'trench mouth'. This is a specific type of gum disease that can be treated.

Explanation

The symptoms of ANUG include sudden, painful ulcers and bad breath. If you have ANUG, the ulcers tend to bleed easily and the V-shaped bits of gum between your teeth start to disappear.

Gum disease develops gradually and is often painless, but ANUG is a sudden and severe gum infection. It's caused by harmful mouth bacteria. You're more likely to get ANUG if you're in your late teens or early twenties. It's more likely if you smoke, don't brush and floss your teeth regularly, are under stress, or have reduced immunity due to another condition.

ANUG is very painful - sometimes you may even find it too painful to brush your teeth. Make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. He or she will be able to give you advice and treatment if necessary. The main treatment for ANUG is a scale and polish - this involves cleaning your teeth very thoroughly with special instruments. If this is too painful, you can have it done under local anaesthesia. This completely blocks feeling from your mouth and you will stay awake during the procedure. If you have very severe ANUG, you may be prescribed antibiotics to help clear up the infection.

Sources

  • Chestnutt IG, Gibson J. Churchill's pocketbook of clinical dentistry. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2006
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: June 2009

Gum disease factsheet

 

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