What Is Gum Disease & How Can I Prevent It?

If left untreated, gum disease (or periodontal disease) can result in tooth loss and jawbone deterioration. Gum disease can also threaten your overall wellness. Loose teeth and oral pain can result in malnutrition, and serious infection can cause your body to launch a deadly immune response called sepsis.

In this blog post, we give a brief overview of what gum disease is and how you can prevent it.

How Gum Disease Develops

Gum disease occurs when plaque (a sticky, bacteria-filled substance) builds up on your teeth and around your gumline. Have you ever brushed your tongue across your teeth and felt an unpleasant fuzzy feeling? That’s plaque! Plaque eats sugars from the food and drinks you consume. It then produces acidic byproducts that irritate your gums and thin your enamel.

Early gum disease, called gingivitis, is often reversible with improved oral health habits. But when your irritated gums become infected, the tissues that hold your teeth in place can become weaker. Advanced gum disease, called periodontitis, requires more intensive treatment to eliminate infection and strengthen your oral tissue.

How to Prevent Gum Disease

You can maintain certain disease prevention practices to preserve your natural teeth and promote strong gums, thereby improving your quality of life. For example, brush your teeth in the morning and at night every day for two minutes each time, floss at least once a day, and visit CarolinasDentist for routine cleanings and any necessary dental treatment.

Other ways you can reduce your risk of gum disease include: giving up tobacco if you smoke or chew it; limiting the amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume; and drinking lots of water throughout the day.

Gum Disease Treatment at CarolinasDentist

Do you think you might have gum disease? Schedule an appointment at one of our CarolinasDentist locations so we can determine whether or not you need professional treatment. We provide a non-surgical solution for gum disease called PerioProtect as well as deep cleanings.

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