3 ways to tackle... RECEDING GUMS

PREVENT: Poor dental health, ageing or genetic predisposition can cause gums to slip back so far from the teeth that their roots become exposed, a condition known as gingival recession. Smoking is another cause – and so, unexpectedly – is over-aggressive brushing and flossing.

TREAT: Book in for a professional scaling and root-planing session – to remove plaque – then see a dental hygienist every three to six months. In between, spend at least two minutes morning and night cleaning teeth with a soft brush of the size specified by the hygienist, who will also demonstrate the most effective brushing technique.

Supplement by rinsing after meals with an anti-bacterial mouthwash, and wear a night guard if grinding teeth is a problem.

Serious cases of gingivitis may need gum grafts or more specialised surgical treatment by a periodontist. Photodynamic therapy is a new but not yet universally available treatment offering a less invasive approach. A drug that reacts to light is applied to the gum and activated by a laser or other light source to destroy bacterial cells. Recovery time is faster than with gum surgery.

DON’T BOTHER: The supplement Co-enzyme Q10 has been suggested as a suppressor of gum disease for its anti-oxidant properties, but the link has not been conclusively proven.