Gum disease is a common condition that affects more than half of the population. It starts with inflammation of your gums, and it can lead to tooth loss if not treated promptly. In this blog post, we will discuss gum disease and how you can prevent it.
What is gum disease, and what causes it?
The primary cause of gum disease is plaque build-up on our teeth due to poor oral hygiene habits such as brushing less frequently or incorrectly (not flossing). Bacteria from food particles between the teeth coat the mouth and attach themselves to our enamel which begins deteriorating over time, resulting in tartar buildup that creates an environment where bacteria thrive. If left untreated or uncontrolled by proper home care at-home dental procedures, gum disease can result in tooth loss.
The two most common types of gum disease are gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Gingivitis is the milder form of this condition where inflammation occurs around the neck area of teeth due to plaque buildup, which irritates tissue below your gums, causing redness, swelling, and bleeding. The more advanced form of gum disease is a periodontal disease where inflammation occurs below our gums resulting in pain even without plaque buildup, which ultimately results in tooth loss if left untreated.
How to prevent and treat gum disease?
Prevention of gum disease begins with proper oral hygiene habits such as brushing at least twice a day and flossing. Brushing removes plaque buildup before it has time to harden into tartar which is much harder to remove, while flossing between your teeth prevents food particles from settling in those areas that can cause infection if not removed.
In addition to daily oral hygiene, having regular professional cleanings performed by a dentist is the best way to prevent gum disease from occurring in the first place. Cleanings remove tartar and plaque buildup above and below our gums, ultimately minimizing inflammation if detected early enough. If you have any questions or concerns about this disease, reach out to (company) on (number), and we'll be glad to assist in any way we can.
Our Dental Blog | Smiles of Tulsa - Dentist in Tulsa, OK Corbyn VanBrunt, DDS has created this informative blog to help educate the community. Click here to learn more about home care, procedures and more! Smiles of Tulsa, 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 1103, Tulsa, OK 74136 + (918) 891-3059 + smilesoftulsa.com + 12/7/2024 + Associated Words: Preventive Dentistry Tulsa OK +
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Gum disease is a common condition that affects more than half of the population. It starts with inflammation of your gums, and it can lead to tooth loss if not treated promptly. In this blog post, we will discuss gum disease and how you can prevent it.