February is Gum Disease Awareness Month

February is “Gum Disease Awareness Month”, and since nearly 65 million Americans have some form of gum disease, this is an effort to raise public awareness of how to prevent it.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a non-destructive type of gum disease, but if left untreated it can progress to periodontitis.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a more serious form of gum disease that damages the soft tissue and destroys the bone that supports your teeth and can cause teeth to loosen or lead to tooth loss.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Gum Disease?

Although the symptoms of gum disease can vary for each person, they often include:

• Inflammation in the form of red or swollen gums
• Bleeding gums
• Gums that are tender or painful to the touch
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth or receding gums

If left untreated, gum disease can cause serious problems such as abscess and infection, tooth loss or even cardiovascular disease.

What Can I do to Prevent Gum Disease?

There are ways to prevent gum disease:

• Good oral hygiene every day is the most important step to prevent gum disease. Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time and floss at least once a day.
• Quit smoking! Smoking increases your risk of developing gum disease, and it makes the condition more difficult to treat.
• Diabetes and other medical conditions can increase your risk to develop gum disease, so avoid plaque and tartar buildup with good oral habits. A professional cleaning every six months can remove hardened plaque buildup and tartar that brushing and flossing can’t reach.
• A healthy well-balanced diet will keep your teeth strong and help them stay healthy.
• Avoid sugary drinks and snacking between meals.

Can Gum Disease Be Treated?

If you have gum disease, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. The treatment you will need depends on the severity of your gum disease and any associated problems. Some treatments include:

• Professional cleaning to remove plaque from your teeth and gums.
• Laser scaling and root planing, a non-surgical approach to treat gum disease with lasers and other techniques for treatment of advanced gum disease.
• Although there are ways to treat gum disease, it is best to prevent it from happening by practicing good oral hygiene.