How to Recognize and Treat Gum Disease

Good oral health is essential for a healthy body. Gum disease is often seen as a silent scourge because it can contribute to tooth loss, body-wide inflammation, and even heart disease. So understanding the symptoms and knowing how to treat it is very important.

Some of the signs of gum disease are:

–Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
–Swollen gums
–Tender gums
–Pus between your teeth
–Bad breath
–Receding gums
–Mouth sores

If you have any of these symptoms you should see your periodontist immediately.

Preventing gum disease isn’t really too difficult.

Brush your teeth at least twice a day, but if you can, after each meal. Include your tongue, which is a hiding place for bacteria.

Floss at least once a day. Flossing removes plaque that forms on the teeth and close to the gum line, and removes food particles that your toothbrush can’t get to. Flossing also stimulates the gums.

Use mouthwash after each brushing. Swishing with a good mouthwash loosens and removes plaque, and also gets rid of those last stray particles of food.

Gum disease can cause serious systemic problems so prevention is essential. Good oral hygiene does not take a lot of time or real effort, and the results are so worth the care. What goes on in your mouth can affect your entire body, and prevention is so simple. So take the time to follow these easy steps. Try to brush after every meal. Remember to clean your tongue as well. Floss and rinse with a good grade mouthwash. Tend to your mouth, have your teeth cleaned by a professional regularly so your good health can be maintained.

At Modern Family Dental Care, we offer gum disease treatment as one of our many dental services in the Charlotte area. Don’t wait — contact us to schedule a consultation!