You know you should do it, but you’ve been putting it off. You hesitate, but you grab the dental floss, break off a piece, and get to work cleaning between your teeth.
You don’t recall exactly how long it’s been since you last flossed, but you know it’s been months. Has it been years? Regardless, you see that you have removed some small things that your toothbrush missed. It hurts a little, but that’s just because you haven’t flossed in a while, right?
You can’t help noticing something more obvious. Your gums are bleeding. That is a sign of a bigger issue. It’s often a symptom of gum disease.
That’s a good reason to contact Advanced Dental Center right away. We always say that we want you to keep your smile for life. Well, preventing and treating periodontal infections are an important part of making that happen.
Call (843) 588-1919 today to schedule an appointment soon at our Florence, SC dental office.
Stay Healthy
In our previous post, we mentioned that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Well, this also is Gum Disease Awareness Month.
That makes it a good time to remind you of the risks that periodontal disease poses to your health.
You may not realize that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. In the latter stages of this kind of infection, bacteria can attack the bone around your teeth. This can cause them to feel loose in their sockets. This makes it easier for those teeth to get knocked out or to fall out on their own.
The impact of poor gum health can go beyond your smile, however. Gum disease has been linked with systemic health issues such as:
- Diabetes complications
- Heart disease
- Increased risk of some forms of cancer
People with diabetes have a higher likelihood of developing periodontal problems. At the same time, having gum infections can make it more difficult to manage diabetes.
The bacteria that cause gum infections also have been found in the hearts of people with cardiovascular disease. People who have gum disease also have a higher risk of kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and blood cancers.
We aren’t sharing this to scare you. Rather, we are trying to encourage you to care for yourself, including your gums.
Be Proactive
You are in control of your gum health. That’s good news because it means you can take steps to minimize the risk of developing an infection and to limit the harm if you do show symptoms of gum disease.
Brushing and flossing daily is the first step. By making these part of your daily oral care routine, you can remove food particles, harmful bacteria, and plaque buildup. By getting professional dental cleaning a few times each year, you can take away plaque and tartar that may have developed as well.
If you notice bleeding gums, swollen gums, persistent bad breath, pimple-like bumps on your gums, receding gums, and/or loose teeth, then you should contact us right away. The sooner you make an appointment for gum disease treatment, the sooner we can get your mouth back in shape.
Love Your Gums
We hope you have good gum healthy habits already. If not, then today is the day to get started. Either way, our team is ready to help. Call (843) 588-1919 or contact us online to request an appointment at Advanced Dental Center in Florence, SC. Keep your smile for life by visiting us!