Did you know that periodontitis, also known as gum disease, impacts more than 3 million Americans annually? This common, yet preventable, disease is most often caused by poor oral hygiene, but can lead to a multitude of different issues. There are many great reasons to take care of your mouth, but avoiding gum disease is one of the highest among them. Here we’ve outlined a few facts about the disease itself, as well as the best ways to avoid it.
Flossing Reigns Supreme
Flossing is the first step in our oral hygiene regimen that many choose to skip, but there are a lot of good reasons your dentist is so adamant about it. Flossing helps remove food particles and bacteria from in between your teeth, stopping them from not only forming cavities but also damaging your gums.
Bleeding Isn’t Normal
If you’re spitting out a bit of blood after every time you brush or floss, this should be cause for concern. Healthy gums don’t bleed from daily brushing, and blood is a good indicator that your gums are in jeopardy. If you’re seeing blood in the sink, call your dentist to have them evaluate your gums.
Gum Disease Can Lead To More Serious Issues
Some of us like to think that our mouth is its own issue that is not linked to our overall health. But just because you see a special doctor for your mouth doesn’t mean your oral health is independent from the rest of your body. Gum disease, if left untreated, has been linked to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s. Part of the reason for this is bacteria entering your bloodstream through your damaged gums, so ensuring their health is crucial.
Dental Implants Don’t Make You Immune
You can replace your teeth, but not your gums. Just because you’ve had dental implants placed does not mean you can skip out on the health of your mouth. Maintaining a good oral hygiene regimen is crucial to avoiding gum disease, with or without your natural teeth.
Bad Breath Is A Telltale Sign
Do you feel like you do all you can to keep your breath clean and fresh, but still struggle with a less than appealing odor? That could be a sign of your gums degenerating as a result of gum disease. Chronic bad breath should always be evaluated by your dentist in case a larger issue is at play.
Gum Disease Can Be Hard To Spot
Many of the signs of gum disease, such as the aforementioned bad breath and blood after brushing, are often easy to be brushed off as ‘normal’. Because of this, around 60 percent of people with gum disease do not even know they have it! Oftentimes, symptoms do not appear until the disease has reached the advanced stages, so having routine check-ups with your dentist is crucial to maintain your oral health.
Gum disease will impact many people in their lifetime, even though it’s avoidable. If you think you may be seeing signs of gum disease, act quickly to nip it in the bud.
To check in with your trusted Lockport dentist and ensure your oral health is everything you desire, don’t hesitate! Call Advanced Family Dental & Orthodontics today and embark on a journey to a radiant, healthy smile!