How You Can Prevent Gum Disease

Taking care of your oral health typically focuses on teeth, but good oral health means taking care of your gums too. Gums that aren’t healthy can not only become diseased themselves, but lead to other oral diseases, and other diseases in the body. Gum disease is much more common than you think. Here is how you can prevent gum disease.

What Is Gum Disease?

When plaque builds up on the teeth, it can eventually turn into tartar. This can lead to gum infection, and if not treated or taken care of, can eventually lead to gum disease. In the early stages of gum disease, it can be treated. When left to progress to certain stages, gum disease can be very hard to eradicate, and in some cases completely permanent.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is often caused by poor oral hygiene habits such as a lack of brushing, flossing, dental visits, lack of using mouthwash, and so much more. While brushing and flossing do a majority of the cleanup work and help clean your teeth and gums, dental visits can help remove anything left behind, such as plaque and other unwanted germs.

How Can It Be Prevented?

Plaque when left untreated can develop into tartar, which cannot be removed by brushing or flossing, so it is important to stay on top of that and prevent plaque. It is also important to avoid eating and drinking excess sugary products. This sugar can be damaging to your gums and lead to cavities and gum irritation. Rinsing your mouth out with water after consuming a sugary drink can help prevent gum disease and other oral complications.

Signs & Symptoms of Gum Disease

Oftentimes, when gum disease is in a more advanced stage, you will notice a few telltale signs and symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:

• Inflamed, irritating, and bleeding gums
• Receding gum line
• Loose teeth

These symptoms, as well as bad breath, swollen gums, and more, can be an indication that you may have gum disease. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see your dentist right away.

Schedule an Appointment Today!

At Arcadia Dental Arts, located in Phoenix, AZ, we are dedicated to helping you have the smile of your dreams. We believe that everyone deserves good dental care and oral health, and we are here to provide just that. If you’re interested in gum disease treatment, give us a call at 602-957-9643 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.smilearcadia.com for more information.