What is the most common disease in the United States? Here’s a clue: it affects 85 percent of the population during their lives.
The answer is gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. Since February is gum disease awareness month, we want to remind you that we can help you address periodontal problems with our non-surgical treatment.
At Advanced Dental Center, we want every patient to enjoy a healthy mouth. That includes taking care of your gums. To schedule an appointment with us, call (843) 588-1919 today!
Keep Your Teeth Intact
As widespread as gum disease, many people are unaware that it is the leading cause of tooth loss in the U.S. In other words, you need to take care of your gums if you want to care for your teeth.
As with most health issues, preventive care should be Plan A. Brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing every day can greatly reduce plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. As a result, you are less likely to develop periodontal infections.
To further reduce your risk of serious gum disease, make regular professional cleanings and exams part of your oral care routine. Our team at Advanced Dental Center will remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, plus we’ll be watching closely for any signs of trouble:
- Swollen, red gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Pus from your gums
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Receding gums
- Teeth that feel loose
- Changes to your bite
We would much rather find gum infections early, so we can begin treatment before you develop advanced gum disease.
Scaling and root planing can take care of many periodontal problems. This is similar to a regular cleaning, except we remove plaque and tartar from the roots of your teeth. Then we smooth the surface of the teeth, which helps your gums reattach to your teeth. To keep you pain-free during your service, we can provide local anesthetic or dental sedation.
It’s About More Than Your Smile
Your oral health affects your overall health in many ways. Gum disease has been linked to a variety of other health issues.
For instance, the bacteria that cause gum infections can get into your bloodstream. There is growing research to suggest that untreated periodontal disease can raise your risk of heart problems as well. (This is not the only risk factor for heart disease, but it one you can control with good oral care habits.)
Gum infections can increase complications associated with diabetes. At the same time, poor management of diabetes can raise your odds of developing a gum infection.
These are just a few examples of how ignoring your gum health can have more serious consequences for your overall health.
Let’s Keep You Happy & Healthy
If are showing any symptoms of gum disease, don’t take chances. It’s better to make an appointment at Advanced Dental Center to treat the problem today than to wait until tomorrow when the consequences can become much worse.
Request an appointment at our Florence, SC office online or call (843) 588-1919 now.