Is This Silent Disease Affecting You?
While red is a popular color during the month of February, with the celebration of Valentine’s Day, if you start noticing that your gums are the color of the decorations, you might be suffering from a silent disease. This disease not only affects your oral health, but can impact your overall health as well. Gum disease can be harmful to your teeth and gums, also increasing the risks of some serious health problems. Continue reading to learn more about gum disease and how to prevent it.
Gum Disease Awareness Month
February is recognized as Gum Disease Awareness Month in an effort to make the public aware of the prevalence of the disease and the lasting effects it can cause if left untreated. Gum disease is the most common disease in the United States, affecting more than half of American adults. It is a serious gum infection, accompanied by inflammation, caused by bacterial growth along the gumline and around the base of the tooth. Although many adults have this type of infection, oftentimes it remains undetected until it is too late.
How to Help Prevent Gum Disease
Because gum disease is silent, it is not easy to detect on your own. However, there are daily precautions you can take at home to help combat and slow the disease:
- Brush and Floss Regularly – Brush and floss daily, being sure to pay close attention to cleaning the gum line properly.
- Use Mouthwash – Mouthwash can help rinse away bacteria and help prevent plaque from building up in the places your toothbrush can’t reach.
- Eat a Healthy Diet – A diet rich in healthy foods containing vitamins A and C can help prevent gum disease. It is best to avoid sugary and starchy foods, which increase plaque production and buildup.
- Know What to Avoid – Smoking, tobacco use, and certain medications can increase your risk for gum disease.
Maintaining regular dental examinations and hygiene visits is of the utmost importance when diagnosing gum disease. While taking the precautions mentioned above is important, biannual visits to our office ensure that gum disease is detected early and that proper plaque removal is being performed regularly.
If you are located in the Spring Hill, FL area and are concerned about the state of your gums or are in need of a routine dental examination, please contact our office to schedule an appointment.