The Confidence-Crippling Effects of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a very common condition. In the UK, the Gum Disease Information Bureau estimates that 3 in every 4 adults over the age of 35 have been affected. If you’ve noticed that your gums have become red and swollen or felt sore after brushing, you may have a condition known as gingivitis. Left untreated, this condition can develop into periodontitis – a severe form of gum disease where bacteria attack the gum tissue leading to abscesses, loose teeth and eventually to tooth loss.
If you have experienced or are putting up with gum disease, it may affect your work life. For instance, have you ever been in line for a promotion but suspect that people are looking at your teeth during the interview? It can make you feel self-conscious to the point that you give up going for that dream job. Or maybe you’ve been given a role where you work behind the scenes even though you love meeting people. You might wonder if you are facing prejudice because of how your teeth look. Half of over-50s are affected by gum disease to a greater or lesser extent. The government expects this age bracket to make up over a third of the workforce by 2020. That just goes to show quite how many people’s careers could be affected by the confidence-crippling effects of periodontal disease.
Faith’s Story
During her initial consultation, Faith shared the story of how she had started to use diversion tactics at work because she felt ashamed of the state of her teeth when making presentations. She used to wear colourful and unusual shoes as she hoped this would distract from the embarrassing condition of her teeth. Since her treatment by Norfolk Dental Specialists, she presents with a new-found confidence. Faith is climbing the career ladder and she’s happy to share her story in the hope that other people will gain the confidence to seek treatment.
When persistent, these symptoms can serve a dramatic blow to your confidence. It’s heart-breaking to see people with receding gums or missing teeth become ashamed of their smiles. Do you find yourself hating having your photograph taken, skipping social situations and avoiding eating in public because you find the experience painful? Of all the symptoms of gum disease, the one that is least discussed, and even considered something of a social taboo to mention, is bad breath. If people notice this symptom of advanced gum disease, they may not feel able to tell you about it for fear of upsetting you and sometimes it can be cruelly spoken about without you being there. It takes a very strong and kind work colleague to draw your attention to it and suggest that you have your oral health checked. If you’re in constant discomfort, embarrassed by bad breath and worrying about infections and abscesses, it’s no wonder that gum disease can lead to anxiety and depression. Many people suffer silently, sometimes for years. Anne’s Story Anne didn't let her gum disease reach the stage where advanced symptoms start to develop. As soon as she noticed that she was starting to worry about the condition of her teeth, she decided to get something done about them. Her dentist referred her to us and Anne had a course of ‘gum therapy’ periodontal treatment, followed by a series of appointments with our hygienists. Anne’s worries about losing her natural teeth were completely alleviated.