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No Hollywood smile for gum disease sufferers

Gum disease is not only a health problem, but also a barrier in cosmetic dentistry, it has been claimed.

Speaking to Canada.com, Toronto cosmetic dentist Dr Armaghan Afsar claimed that patients who neglect their gums may find their dream smile hard to achieve.

"If you want those pearly whites, if you want to get that Hollywood smile, we can't do it for someone who has gum disease," she said.

Dr Afsar explained that as teeth are held to the jaw by the gum, if the gum is diseased the teeth will become shaky and may need to be extracted.

She added that gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes or diabetes.

Visiting a dentist and asking them to evaluate for gum disease is essential, the expert advised, as they will be able to spot the early signs of the problem.

This year's National Smile Month, running between May 18th and June 17th, is themed Brush for Health and is focusing on the risks of gum disease. ADNFCR-1374-ID-18566872-ADNFCR