Biofilm is the main factor that causes tooth decay and gum disease. How does this happen? When the biofilm comes into contact with sugary foods and drinks, the bacteria starts to break down the enamel which eventually leads to decay in the tooth. The effected teeth would then need to be treated, whether that’s a filling or further treatment. And it doesn’t stop there. The thicker biofilm will also begin to irritate the gums and this can trigger the body’s natural inflammatory response.
The result is sore and inflamed gums which tend to bleed whilst brushing — ouch! If left untreated, gingivitis, (the early stage of gum disease) can progress into serious gum disease, called periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss. Gum disease also increases your risk of arthritis, diabetes, dementia, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases amongst other things, so it’s crucial that we look after our oral health to keep our bodies healthy too.