What are the early signs?
-red gums
-puffy or swollen gums
-bleeding from the gums
-bad breath

What are the late signs?
-spaces between teeth
-longer looking teeth
-shifting of the teeth
-loosening of the teeth
-vague itchiness
-pain

What can be done to prevent it?
-Ask the dentist to demonstrate the correct way of brushing and flossing
-Practise the correct methods daily. This will remove the plaque that causes the disease
-Visit the dentist at least once every six months for scaling and polishing
-Quit smoking. Smokers are more likely to suffer from gum disease

This story was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times, on May 21, 2008.