Brush, Floss, and Protect Your Gums: How to Prevent Decay and Gum Disease

Brush, Floss, and Protect Your Gums: How to Prevent Decay and Gum Disease

Post by : Dr. James Connan BChD GDC No. 230670 | 11 August 2025

Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential for both your smile and your overall health. A UK study published in the British Dental Journal found that 56% of dental patients aged 18-92 had periodontitis (advanced gum disease), while only 2% had completely healthy gums.

Gingivitis, or early gum inflammation, is also very common. Brushing twice a day is second nature to most people, but with many not flossing daily, they could be leaving their gums at risk. Healthy gums are just as important as healthy teeth, and preventing gum disease is one of the key areas where a periodontist can make a lasting difference.

Why Gum Health Matters

Gum disease is more than just bleeding gums or bad breath. Left untreated, it can progress from mild gingivitis to advanced periodontitis, a condition that can cause gum recession, bone loss, and even tooth loss. Visiting a periodontist in Surbiton or your local area can help diagnose problems early and provide specialist treatment before they become severe.

If you’ve noticed signs like swollen gums, receding gums, or persistent bad breath, it may be time to seek professional care from a gum disease specialist in Surbiton.

The Role of Brushing and Flossing

Brushing 

Using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle brush twice a day removes plaque from the surfaces of your teeth.

Flossing

Flossing reaches where brushing can’t, the tight spaces between teeth and just below the gumline. By removing trapped food particles and plaque, flossing reduces your risk of cavities and keeps gum tissue healthy. Skipping flossing allows plaque to harden into tartar, which only a dental professional can remove.

Regular flossing not only helps prevent decay but also lowers your risk of needing advanced periodontal treatment later in life.

Professional Hygiene Care & Periodontal Therapy in Surbiton

Daily brushing and flossing are essential, but even the best home routine can’t remove all plaque and tartar. Over time, this build-up can irritate the gums and lead to gum disease. That’s why regular visits to a dental professional are so important.

Our dental hygienists in Surbiton use advanced cleaning techniques, including ultrasonic scaling and airflow polishing, to reach areas that a toothbrush and floss can’t. These visits not only freshen your smile but also lower your risk of gum disease, protect against tooth decay, and prepare your mouth for other treatments such as whitening, orthodontics, or dental implants.

Sometimes, however, professional hygiene alone isn’t enough. If gum disease has already developed, our gum disease specialists provide advanced periodontal therapy, which may include:

• Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing): Removes tartar and bacteria from below the gumline.
  
• Gum infection treatment: Reduces swelling and targets harmful bacteria.
• Receding gum treatment: Restores gum tissue and protects exposed roots.
• Ongoing periodontal maintenance: Keeps gum health stable and prevents relapse.

We usually recommend hygiene appointments every six months, or more frequently if you are prone to gum problems. By combining regular preventive care with specialist periodontal treatment when needed, you can keep your gums healthy, your smile strong, and avoid more complex dental problems later on.

The Link Between Gum Health and General Health

Research shows gum disease isn’t just about your mouth; it’s connected to wider health issues:

• Heart Disease: Bacteria from infected gums can enter the bloodstream, contributing to inflammation.
• Diabetes: Gum disease can make blood sugar levels harder to control.
• Overall Wellness: Healthy gums reduce the risk of systemic infection and inflammation.

Common Signs, Risks & Advanced Gum Treatments

Bleeding gums, bad breath, swollen or receding gums are all early warning signs that your gum health may be at risk. If ignored, these symptoms can progress from gingivitis (a reversible inflammation of the gums) to periodontal disease, where gum and bone support are irreversibly damaged. Gum pockets may form, teeth can loosen, and eventually, tooth loss can occur.

Certain factors increase your risk of gum disease, including:

• Smoking
• Poor oral hygiene
• Diabetes and heart disease
• Immunosuppression
• Certain medications

The cost of ignoring gum disease is high; not only does it put your teeth at risk, but it can also affect your overall health, linking to conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

At Surbiton Dental, our team provides a full range of periodontal care, from preventive to advanced treatments, including:

• Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing): removes plaque and tartar deposits from below the gumline.
• Gum infection treatment: reduces inflammation and controls harmful bacteria.
• Receding gum treatment: helps restore gum tissue and protect exposed roots.
• Periodontal maintenance therapy: keeps gum health stable and reduces the risk of relapse.

For severe or advanced cases, our dentists may recommend referral to a periodontal specialist, ensuring you always receive the right level of care.

Daily Steps to Support Your Smile

1. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Floss gently once a day using the “C-shaped” method.
3. Use an antibacterial mouthwash if recommended by your dentist or periodontist.
4. Visit your dentist or periodontist in Surbiton regularly for professional cleanings.

Conclusion

Brushing and flossing daily are essential for preventing decay and gum disease, but they’re only part of the bigger picture. If you’re worried about gum problems, seeking advice from a periodontist in Surbiton can ensure you get expert periodontal therapy and protect your smile for years to come.

Don’t wait until small problems become big ones. Whether you need gum infection treatment, receding gum treatment, or specialist periodontal care, taking action today means a healthier mouth, and a healthier you.