Good Oral Hygiene and Regular Dental Care Can Help You Avoid Gum Disease
You might get away with having very few symptoms of gum disease in its early stages, but sooner or later, the telltale signs will appear.
We hope that you never see those signs because you’ve heeded our near constant recommendations about good oral hygiene and how it saves you time and money and protects your smile and even your overall health.
While gum disease is easily preventable, a surprising number of people suffer from it, and the dental health professionals at Downtown Dental Associates of Portland want you to know what you can do to have the healthiest mouth possible.
We’re all human and lapses happen, so we want you to be able to recognize the early signs of gum disease. We want to help you treat it and mitigate any lasting damage to your teeth, gums and the underlying bone.
Let’s start with what causes gum disease. Gum disease is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth that can lead to tartar build up, inflammation of the gums and eventually to tooth and bone loss.
Signs of gum disease include:
· Persistent bad breath
· Pain with chewing
· Loose or sensitive teeth
· Red or swollen gums
· Gums that bleed easily
· Receding gums or teeth that appear to be getting longer
Obviously, the best way to treat gum disease is to avoid it in the first place, and there are a few simple rules for that.
Chief among these is good oral hygiene that includes flossing at least once a day, brushing multiple times a day, avoiding smoking and getting regular dental exams.
But no one is perfect, so we also urge you to pay attention and contact your dental health professional if you notice any of the signs listed above.
At Downtown Dental Associates of Portland, we care about your dental health and your smile. Contact us if you have any questions about dental health. You can also make an appointment online by clicking here.