Preventing Gum Disease 101

Posted on by awdadmin

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums, and it’s never pleasant! If severe, it may progress to impact the bone that supports your teeth, but there are certain things you do to prevent this from happening. In this week’s article, we’ve put together a how-to guide when it comes to preventing gum disease.

What are the symptoms of gum disease

In some cases, gum disease may be painless- that’s why it’s so important to be aware of the following symptoms. Do your gums bleed easily when brushing or flossing; are they swollen, tender or red in colour at all? Are your teeth overly sensitive to different temperatures, or do you experience any pain while chewing? Do your gum appears to be receding away from your teeth? If you answered any of those questions in the affirmative, you may have gum disease. Another common symptom to watch out for is persistent bad breath; even if you’re a garlic lover, consistently having offensive breath isn’t normal, and may indicate a deeper problem.

What are the causes of gum disease?

In many cases, bacteria in plaque is the cause behind gum disease. Plaque is a colourless, sticky film that forms on top of your teeth, and if it’s not removed early enough, it can harden and become tartar. At this stage, only a dental professional can you help to remove tartar from your teeth, and alleviate gum disease.

What can I do?

The best way to prevent gum disease is through daily brushing and flossing. Using an antibacterial toothpaste, your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to remove plaque before it turns into tartar. By scheduling regular checkups with your dental professional to get your teeth checked and cleaned, you can ensure that tartar or gum disease, if any is found, will be treated early. However, if plaque does build up and harden on your teeth, this can infect your gum. From here, there are three stages of gum disease; gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis.

Eden Rise Dental are your local, friendly dentist in Berwick. With a wide range of professional services, you can be sure your smile will be sparkling in no time! Get in touch by calling (03) 9702 6111 for more information today.