04 May 2021
woman brushing her teeth

If left unchecked, periodontal disease can wreak havoc on a healthy smile. A number of things can contribute to periodontal (gum) disease, including poor oral hygiene, chronic health conditions, and even some medications. Protect your smile by getting regular dental cleanings and staying on top of your dental hygiene. Keep reading to learn more about how you can protect your oral hygiene from periodontal disease. Schedule a visit with our dentist near me to make sure your smile is totally healthy!

The Effects of Gum Disease

Gum disease can cause serious, lasting damage to your gums, teeth, and even your jaw bone. When your smile develops an infection caused by periodontal disease, you are putting yourself at risk for major complications. Untreated, gum disease can cause tooth loss, a dental abscess, and life-threatening infections. Gum disease is the most common disease found in adults, and many times it exists without a patient even knowing. The effects gum disease may not become apparent until the condition has progressed significantly, so make sure you are staying up to date with regular dental cleanings. Frequent visits can help reduce the effects of gum disease and catch it before it becomes more serious. 

How to Protect Your Smile

The easiest way to protect your smile from gum disease is to take excellent care of your smile. Make sure you are brushing twice per day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing every night, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash. Staying on top of your dental care routine will help protect your smile from the effects of gum disease. However, dental hygiene is not enough to totally protect your smile. Regular dental cleanings by our dentist near me are necessary to maintain a healthy smile. Once plaque hardens on the surface of teeth, it turns into tartar. Tartar can only be removed through the process of scaling, which is done at your regular dental cleanings. If not removed, tartar will contribute to major oral health issues just like periodontal disease

Signs of Periodontal Disease

Some signs of gum disease are obvious, like bleeding or swollen gums. Some slight bleeding when you brush is a common sign of periodontal disease. Other signs include persistent bad breath, painful chewing, persistent tooth sensitivity, and receding gums. Periodontal disease that has progressed significantly may cause an oral infection such as a dental abscess. Sharp shooting pain in one area of the smile is a clear indication of a major oral health issue, so don’t ignore it. If you are noticing signs that you may have developed gum disease, schedule a visit to our office for a thorough cleaning. X-rays can also be taken to examine any jaw issues that may have occurred under the surface. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of your infection.

Protect your smile from gum disease by coming in for a visit with our dentist near me. Schedule your next dental cleaning and examination by calling our office! Call (561) 747-7111 to book your next visit with us.