4 Helpful Facts About Gum Disease

September is National Gum Care Month which makes it the perfect time to spread awareness that oral health involves much more than just our teeth. Did you know, for example, that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss? Keep reading to learn 4 more interesting facts about gum health to keep in mind this month that you might not already have known!

Fact #1: Gum Disease Comes In Stages

Gum disease doesn’t happen all at once. It develops in stages over time. They are:

1. Gingivitis. This is the earlier stage and frequently goes unnoticed. It happens when unhealthy bacteria gather below the gumline and begin to cause infection.
2. Periodontitis. This later stage develops if gingivitis is allowed to progress untreated. As plaque and infection begin to thrive, your gums pull away to protect themselves. This receding cannot be reversed and leaves the vulnerable undersides of your teeth exposed.

It’s important to treat gum disease early to avoid irreversible consequences if you can.

Fact #2: Gum Disease Is Hard to Detect

Gum disease is particularly difficult to detect because there are so few actual symptoms until periodontitis develops. In fact, it’s known as a “silent” disease because up to 60% of the people who have it are completely unaware.

Fact #3: Age Doesn’t Matter to Gum Disease

You might think that younger children are less likely to develop oral health issues, but even infants without all of their pearly whites can still develop gum disease. Although periodontitis is perhaps not as frequently seen in younger children, gingivitis is as prevalent as cavities!

Fact #4: Gum Disease Is Preventable

Although gum disease is notoriously hard to catch, it’s fortunately also highly preventable. Having a consistent dental hygiene routine in place greatly reduces your risk. You can avoid gum disease by:

• Thoroughly brushing and flossing your teeth twice each day.
• Limiting your consumption of foods and beverages with high sugar content which attracts unhealthy bacteria.
• Drink plenty of water to regularly flush away any unwanted germs and particles to avoid buildup.
• Drop bad habits like the use of tobacco and alcohol.

Finally, it’s important to schedule a checkup with your dentist once every 6 months. They have the training and experience to find gum disease and treat it appropriately before it escalates into anything worse.

Now that you know how to keep your gums healthy, you can share this information with all your family and friends so that this National Gum Care Month is a success!

About the Author

Dr. Liu earned her dental degree from the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She, along with the rest of our caring dental team, provides comprehensive services that include periodontal treatments. If you’re worried about bleeding or receding gums, you are welcome to request an appointment on our website or by calling (469) 210-7223.