A dentist, Dr Olatunji Ambali, on Friday advised people to go for regular medical checkup to ascertain the status of their teeth to avoid gum diseases and damage.

Ambali, who works with the 68, Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, people usually don’t show signs of gum diseases until they are in their 30s or 40s.

“Men are more likely to have gum diseases than women.

‘’Although, teenagers rarely develop periodontitis, they can develop gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease,’’ he said.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia says, “Periodontitis is a set of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth.

“ Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease.’’

“Most commonly, gum disease develops when plaque is allowed to build up along and under the gum line.

‘’Symptoms of gum diseases include: bad breath that will not go away, red or swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, painful chewing, loose teeth, receding gums and longer appearing teeth,’’ Ambali said.

He also said that smoking was a risk factor associated with the development of the diseases.

‘’Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of gum diseases and smoking can lower the chances for successful treatment,’’ Ambali said.