Think You May Have Gum Disease? Here’s What You Can Do.

You wake up in the morning, turn on the coffee pot, and brush your teeth. But as you’re brushing, you a bit startled to see that the suds in your mouth are slightly pink.

Never seen that before, you think.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.2% of adults over the age of 30 are affected by some sort of gum disease, and if left untreated, this can lead to some serious conditions later on in life.

47% of adults over 30 have some sort of gum disease #DontBeAStatistic #LoveYourSmile Click To Tweet

With such a high rate affecting Americans, our McAllen dentists here at WhiteWing Dental want to protect your smile by sharing with you some information on why gum disease happens and what you can do to help prevent it.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a serious condition where the gum line becomes irritated and damaged – and in extreme cases – destroys the jawbone.

Gum disease may wear different masks, however, symptoms often share the same ugly face of persistent bad breath and swollen, red, tender, or receding gums.

The telltale sign that something may be wrong with your gums is finding a little bit of blood in the sink after brushing and rinsing your teeth.

Gum diseases range from the least harmful gingivitis to the serious periodontitis.

If left untreated #gingivitis can progress into periodontitis. #brusheveryday #getbackplaque Click To Tweet

Gingivitis inflames the gingiva – or the gum line – around the base of your teeth often causing irritation, redness, and swelling. It can generally be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, but if left unchecked, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a severe infection that can lead to some truly damaging oral health issues. At this point, the gum line is pulled back from the teeth, exposing the sensitive root and forms “pockets” that become infected because of bacteria.

If left untreated teeth can come loose, fall off, or have to be removed. This serious infection can also damage the jawbone.

With periodontitis, the intervention to treat the infection can include medication, bone graftings, and graftings to attach more gum tissue to the damaged area.

How Does Gum Disease Develop?

Our McAllen dentists want you to be aware that poor oral care is the leading cause of gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis.

When we decide to not brush or floss before bed, after meals, or just plain forget when waking up in the morning, bacteria grows along the gum line. This bacteria mixes with other dental refuse and becomes plaque.

Poor oral care & a sugary diet are some of the main causes of gum disease #EatRight #getbackplaque Click To Tweet

On a sugary diet, bacteria has an abundant food supply which allows it to multiply, and produce an acid that eats away at your tooth enamel and gums. If left untreated, the plaque becomes tartar and further irritates the gums. This is the first stage of gingivitis.

It’s also worth noting that gum disease is more prone to happen to us as we age.

As we begin to get older, we often have deficits in micronutrients that are vital to supporting our immune systems. A diet low in nutrition and high in simple carbohydrates exacerbates gum diseases.

A healthy diet is a great start to stopping gum disease in its tracks.

What Can I Do to Prevent Gum Disease?

If you are looking to prevent gum disease while enjoying long term health benefits, it would be best to do the following:

Stop smoking. Smoking encourages the growth of bacteria that creates plaque and tartar. Those substances cause gum disease. Smoking can also limit the effectiveness of treatment.
Eat a healthier diet. Meals should include leafy greens, legumes and beans, raw fruits, nuts, and lean meats like fish.
Limit or avoid sugary drinks and snacks. Opt for fresh fruits and juices.
Brushing at least twice daily and daily flossing will help to clean plaque and tartar.

It is important to recognize that sometimes brushing and floss cannot go into the deep nooks and crannies that harbor bacteria, ultimately requiring some expertise, which brings us to…

The Best Way To Prevent Gum Disease is to Schedule a Cleaning With WhiteWing Dental

#Prevent gum disease by scheduling regular teeth cleanings at #WhitewingDental Click To Tweet

Don’t let your gum concerns go unchecked. Come see us at WhiteWing Dental if you suspect that you may be developing gum disease.

Our dentists in McAllen will be more than happy to help you schedule an oral examination and teeth cleaning to ensure that you don’t become another statistic.