With the coming new year we hope you vow to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. Gum disease impacts millions of people and can lead to problems with your oral health, including tooth loss. How do you avoid gum disease? What warning signs should you watch for?
Try Our Gum Disease Quiz
- True or False: Poor oral hygiene can lead to the disease.
- True or False: Brushing and flossing can help protect your gums.
- True or False: Sore or bleeding gums can be a warning sign.
- True or False: You should have your teeth cleaned twice a year.
Answer Key
- True. When we don’t care for our smiles, plaque buildup can form. Plaque irritates the gums, leading to the onset of gingivitis. Without treatment, gingivitis can cause the gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets at the gum line. Once bacteria invade these pockets and allow the disease to form.
- True. When you brush and floss you remove food particles from on and between the teeth. Doing so can help reduce the severity of plaque buildup, protecting your gums from irritation. You should brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
- True. If you notice your gums feel sore, appear red, or bleed easily, then you may need treatment. In the gingivitis stage we can reverse the problems completely. However, once the disease forms it’s incurable. We will need to manage it to prevent serious complications, such as tooth loss.
- True. Every six months you should have your teeth cleaned. A dental cleaning is the only way to completely remove plaque from the teeth. If you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a cleaning, then contact our office today.
