For this session, use the preceding article on oral care, as well as other sources of information, to strengthen your understanding of gum disease. This will give you more insight and information to pass on to your customers.

You can use information sources you may have in the pharmacy, such as company literature, OTC guides and so on, and of course, conversations you have with customers and among the team €“ always good sources of information! For further inspiration, visit the websites listed in the 'information sources' box on the next page. Oral care company websites are also a good source of information on gum disease and its prevention.

You will find plenty of information on gum disease in our oral care article. In order to make it useful and relevant to your work, consider the following:

• How often do you brush, floss, use a mouthwash and interdental brushes? Do you think you practise good oral hygiene? If so, what benefits do you find? What challenges do you find in practising good oral hygiene? How can your experiences help customers?
• How would a customer know they had gum disease? What questions would you ask?
• What other oral health issues might a customer with gum disease develop? See: NHS Choices: Gum disease - Complications
• What is the difference between gingivitis and periodontal disease? See: NHS Choices: Gum disease - Symptoms
• What is pericoronitis? See: Boots WebMD: Pericoronitis
• Why is a healthy diet important for oral health? What advice would you give in relation to sugar, snacks, fruit and sugary drinks? See: The Oral Health Foundation for more information.