4 Things To Know About Gum Disease
Next to cavities, gum disease is one of the most common oral problems that dentists see patients for. Whether you are in your twenties or your seventies, it's fair to say that gum disease is common among adults of all ages. Even though you know how common gum disease is, you may not know the first thing about it. This article will take a closer look at four basic things to know about it. Are you ready to learn more? If so, read on.
1. It Can Be Easily Treated
As long as you get diagnosed with gum disease early on, it can easily be treated. During an extensive cleaning, your dentist will clean your teeth and all along your gum line to get rid of tartar and bacteria which will essentially get rid of the early stages of gum disease as well. If you have more advanced stages of gum disease, it may need to be treated with something like gum scaling.
2. It Has Visible Signs
Another thing to know about gum disease is that it isn't something that's "silent." In fact, the symptoms of gum disease are pretty loud and noticeable. On average, visible signs of gum disease include:
- Swelling
- Soreness
- Redness
- Bleeding
- Tenderness
If you do notice any of these signs, then you will definitely want to schedule an appointment with your dentist. That way, they can get you started with treatments early and you can prevent things like bone loss and decay.
3. It Can Be Really Harmful to Your Health
You may have heard before that gum disease can result in an unhealthy heart and you may have wondered if that was true or not. The interesting thing is that it is really true. Because gum disease is an infection of the gums, if it's left untreated, that infection can spread throughout your body and into your heart. This can lead to heart problems or even heart failure.
4. It's Easy to Avoid
Another thing to know about gum disease is that it's easy to prevent. As long as you brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and get regular dental cleanings, you can usually avoid gum disease. Typically, if you notice a lot of plaque along your gum line, your dentist can remove it, which prevents it from turning into gum disease.
Now that you know the basics of this oral condition, it's time for you to schedule an appointment with your dentist.