No one wants to experience gum disease, but, it can affect people of all ages. This blog post will explain everything you need to know about gum disease, including the symptoms, causes and preventative measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of getting gum disease.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease is a progressive condition which attacks the margin between the gums as well as the teeth. It could take years to progress or mere months. Long-term gum disease can cause such extreme damage that you might lose your teeth.
Symptoms of gum disease
Several visible symptoms come with gum disease such as bleeding gums, bad breath, teeth that are more mobile than they were originally and pain or swelling in the gums. Other symptoms include gums that appear puffy and red, having a metallic taste in your mouth and deposits or tartar close to the margin of the gum.
Causes of gum disease
There are a variety of causes of gum disease, such as plaque build-up, caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Specifically, gum disease can be caused when you are not brushing your teeth regularly or properly.
Specific foods and drinks that are high in carbohydrates can produce acid, which can cause tooth decay.
Preventative measures
To reduce the likelihood of gum disease, make sure you are managing your oral hygiene, which means brushing your teeth, properly, twice a day for at least 2-3 minutes and flossing when needed. Further action involves going for regular check-ups with your dentist, as they can spot any early signs of gum disease.
Flossing will help to remove unwanted plaque while rinsing your mouth can also help to reduce plaque.
You can also use mouthwash, as this will help to target hard to reach places that your toothbrush might not get to. Mouthwash, however, is not a viable substitute for brushing your teeth or flossing, and it should be used to control the build-up of plaque.
Actions
Further actions you can take when you have gum disease include a scale and polish, which involves removing tartar and plaque. Simply put, a scale and polish is a professional clean that should be carried out by a professional, such as a dentist or hygienist.
Contact us
If you are experiencing gum disease, or have any symptoms, we can help you regain your healthy smile once more. Gum disease can be cured with professional treatment, so contact a member of the Resolution Specialist Treatment team today, and we can help.