Our teeth and gums hold up a mirror to the way we live, reflecting even tiny changes in lifestyle. Anousheh Alavi, a trained dentist and scientific affairs manager for Colgate, says that if we take regular medication – even if it’s not for something orally related – it is highly likely to have a deleterious effect on our mouths.
Saliva is crucial for gum and tooth health. “Eighty per cent of medications for chronic conditions list a dry mouth as one of the side effects,” explains Alavi. “Saliva has a crucial ‘buffering’ capacity. Drugs often influence the saliva glands, so we produce less of it.”
The more saliva you have, the more likely it is that your teeth will be bacteria-free. That’s why it is so important to brush your teeth at night. We secrete less saliva when we are asleep and so our teeth are not naturally rinsed clean while sleeping.
The trouble is that, if you are taking regular medicine, a subtle side effect such as a dry mouth can be quite hard to notice. “In its mild stage, it’s hardly noticeable at all. And that can happen with almost any medication,” observes Alavi. “But it has a massive impact on the bacteria in your mouth, not to mention the bugs and flora which take hold on your gums and teeth.”
So what to do? If you are taking regular drugs for a chronic condition, ask your doctor if dry mouth is one of the side effects, or look at the leaflet contained in the packet. If dry mouth is mentioned, you must take extra precautions against bacteria building up and gums becoming inflamed (gingivitis). Bleeding gums are a clear symptom of this.
If left untreated, pockets at the base of your teeth can open up, into which bacteria will flood. The result of this is periodontal disease, in which the bone supporting the tooth can become diseased. This is irreversible and can result in your teeth falling out.
There’s only one way to stop gum disease in its tracks and prevent bacteria taking hold on your teeth, and that’s by regular cleaning along with visits to your dentist and hygienist.
That’s where the Colgate Total Pro Gum Health range comes in. Using Colgate Total Pro Gum Health toothbrush and toothpaste is ideal. Gingivitis is reversible and can be dealt with if your teeth are cleaned regularly and effectively.
Colgate Total Pro Gum Health floss and interdental brushes are also a good idea. And you might think about getting a toothpaste with a higher strength fluoride, which can be acquired with a prescription from your doctor or dentist.
Regular care is crucial, says Alavi. “In the early stages, tooth decay and gum disease are preventable and reversible. The key thing is to establish a daily routine and stick to it.”
• Brush twice a day
• Use a toothpaste clinically proven to prevent and treat gum disease, such as Colgate Total Pro Gum Health
• Cut sugary snacks
• Act at once on signs of disease
• Visit your dentist regularly
Three out of four people are likely to suffer from gum disease at some point in their lives. Visit www.telegraph.co.uk/gum health for further details — and to take the ‘gum MOT’