The most common disease in the world :

The most common disease in the world :

by RUTH EASTMAN, femail.co.uk

Is your smile as healthy as you think?

You may try your best to keep fit and healthy, pay attention to your diet and follow all the latest medical advice.

But the chances are you are probably suffering from the most common disease in the world.

Gum disease affects a staggering nine out of ten of us. And while it sounds innocuous, developed cases are now being linked with everything from premature birth to stomach ulcers, pneumonia, coronary artery disease and strokes.

Here is our guide to the disease - from how to spot it, treat it and prevent it - to the research linking it to more serious conditions.

What is gum disease?
There are two main types of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the less serious condition, which if left unchecked can develop into the more serious condition periodontitis.

The problem is caused by bacteria in plaque (the clear, sticky film that forms on your teeth) which starts to attack the gums. If the milder form of gum disease is left untreated the plaque spreads and grows below the gum line.

Toxins produced by the bacteria aggravate the gums, and the tissue and bone that anchor the tooth in the affected area break down. When gum and bone erode away, the root of the tooth becomes visible (hence the expression 'long in the tooth').

'Gum disease isn't something you pick up,' says one leading London dentist. 'It's a slow-growing degenerative condition of people who don't brush their teeth properly. It's probably 90 per cent preventable. It's also age-related. A lot of the cases I see are people of 35 and onwards, but you can prevent it when you're young through good oral hygiene.'

What evidence is there linking gum disease to other illnesses?
Since 1998 a wide range of research from America has pointed the finger at gum disease as a dangerous trigger for coronary artery disease, strokes, pneumonia, stomach ulcers and even premature birth.

Although research is still ongoing, it is thought that the toxins in the infected gum enter the bloodstream, travel to the relevant parts of the body and damage occurs through inflammation or an immune response.

In the case of premature birth, research at the University of North Carolina showed that 18.2 per cent of women who went into labour early had gum disease. The toxins, it was suggested, reach the placenta which causes premature labour.

How to spot gum disease
You'll know you have gum disease if you have bad breath, your gums become red and swollen, and you bleed when you brush. 'Many people think bleeding gums are normal,' says specialist periodontist Amanda Biddle. 'But they are not at all. They are a sign of gum disease.'

To test if you have bad breath lick your wrist, wait a few seconds until it dries, then sniff it. No smell, no problem.

How to treat it
If you think you have gum disease go to see your dentist and ask them to perform a gum check. If you do have serious gum disease your dentist may well refer you to a periodontist. Some periodontal surgery is available on the NHS.

Your dentist or periodontist will remove the accumulated plaque (tartar) and tell you how to brush more effectively to prevent the disease taking hold. They'll also recommend dental floss and possibly 'interdental' brushes - thin toothbrushes to get in between the teeth. Anti-bacterial mouthwashes also keep the enemy at bay.

In advanced cases of periodontitis surgery may be required to clean underneath the gum and to reposition the gum. The tooth may even need replacing.

How to prevent it
Dr John Smith, a periodontist who also practises in London, advises brushing with soft bristles and a gentle action. 'Never use a hard toothbrush,' he says. 'It's abrasive on the

teeth and could cause the gums to recede. Look for a fluoride toothpaste that has anti-plaque, or anti-plaque and anti-tartar agents. Whitening agents do nothing to help gums.'

Other advice includes making sure you brush your teeth for two minutes both in the morning and at night in a methodical way. 'Don't forget you need to brush both sides of the teeth and on both the left and the right sides of your mouth and all the way to the back,' says Amanda Biddle. 'Many people who think they brush well in fact only brush certain areas of their mouth every day and for far less than the recommended two minutes.'

NHS dental treatment is still free for those under 18, or under 19 and still in full-time education, so if you think your child could do with an oral hygiene lesson it won't cost a thing to find out.