Taking care of your teeth is one thing, but spare a thought for your gums too, says Michele Simmons

With over a fifth of adults not having visited a dentist for five years, and six per cent brushing their teeth less than once a day, it seems we've a lot of brushing up to do when it comes to dental health. The first step is to get to grips with some of the most common problems.

Without doubt, the greatest cause for dental concern is gum disease - and according to the British Dental Association, 95 per cent of us suffer from it. Caused by plaque, an almost invisible sticky film of bacteria that attaches itself to teeth, particularly where they meet the gums, the longer it's there, the more chance it will calcify, which forms tartar, hard deposits on the teeth. This irritates the gums, causes inflammation, which ends up as gum disease.

There are two types of gum disease: gingivitis, where the gums become inflamed and bleed, and periodontitis, which is the more advanced form of gum disease.

What you can do about it
If you have gingivitis, your gums are likely to bleed, particularly when you brush your teeth. Keep brushing the problem areas gently: that way the bleeding should soon stop. If it doesn't, see your dentist or hygienist who will be able to scale off the plaque.

With periodonititis, the actual inflammation can spread underneath the gums, attacking the fibres and bone. A gap can then form between the gum and tooth, which is known as the periodontal pocket. Treatment usually consists of your dentist scaling and cleaning out these 'pockets'. Occasionally dental surgery may be needed to remove the debris, although this can often be avoided simply by cleaning teeth properly and regularly. Treatment is important because if left, teeth start to loosen and may even fall out. Problems with the gums often happen during pregnancy, and other times of hormonal imbalance, such as puberty. People with diabetes are more likely to develop gum disease, as are smokers.

Toothy tales
Besides gum disease, the other dental disaster is tooth decay. The major culprit here is sugar, which is turned into acid by plaque on the tooth's surface. Eventually the acid builds up and dissolves the enamel coating on the tooth. The result? Tooth decay. If you really want to do your teeth a favour, avoid sugary snacks and drinks, particularly between meals. If you want to snack, stick to foods like cheese, yoghurt, crackers, fruit and sugar free drinks - or even water! Artificial sweeteners are often added to food and drink, but try to stick to those that don't cause tooth decay - saccharine, aspartame, sorbitol, xylitol and isomalt are all fine.

Something to smile about
If you do have dental problems, the good news is that you don't have to suffer. Try some of the following suggestions to help get your mouth into shape.

• Brush your teeth thoroughly for two minutes, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste
• If your teeth hurt when you have hot or cold food or drink, try a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth
• If you use a mouthwash, go for Plax or Listerine - both of which have been accredited by the British Dental Association
• Use disclosing tablets that show up even small amounts of plaque
• Floss, dental sticks, mini brushes and electric toothbrushes are useful for areas that are difficult to clean

Other mouth miseries
Abscesses: these are gum boils, caused by severe gum disease. If the area in or around the root of the tooth becomes infected an abscess can form, which causes more swelling - and pain. Treatment consists of the dentist draining away the pus from the boil and cleaning the cavity, and taking antibiotics to help clear up any infection.

Mouth ulcers: around a fifth of us suffer with these white or yellowish spots that are often aggravated by stress, illness or simply by being tired and over-worked. They usually clear within a week or two and although there is no cure there are a number of anaesthetic gels, ointments and pastilles available to ease the pain. For instant relief try dissolving a tablespoon of salt in a cup of warm water and use as a mouthwash.

If mouth ulcers are a recurring problem, or you have had one for more than three weeks, see your doctor as it could be a sign of a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

Further information
To find an NHS dentist, call your local Health Authority (check Yellow Pages for the number). If you are in Scotland call the Health Board; in Northern Ireland, the Social Services Board. Remember that NHS treatment is free from the beginning of pregnancy until one year after giving birth.