Gum Disease Is No Joke!

You’re brushing your teeth when you happen to notice that your saliva has a pinkish tinge to it. You don’t think much about it until you notice that there is blood on your floss, too. Whatever you do, don’t “brush” this off. Both can be a sign of gum disease, the leading cause of toothlessness in adults. At Dental Care of Boca Raton, we want you to keep your teeth where they belong: firmly planted in your gums.

How Does Gum Disease Occur?

Plaque — the same thing that causes tooth decay — constantly builds up on your teeth. If the plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing, the bacteria can harden and turn into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional. When left on your teeth, tartar causes the inflammation that eventually leads to gum disease.

What Are the Symptoms?

Gum disease is often painless so goes undiagnosed until the damage is done. If you have any of the following symptoms, be sure to contact your dentist ASAP.

• Swollen, red, or bleeding gums
• Gums that pull away from the teeth
• Loose teeth or a change in tooth alignment
• Chronic bad breath or unpleasant taste
• Sensitivity to hot/cold or pain while chewing

What Do I Do?

If caught in its early stage, known as gingivitis, gum disease can be reversible. That’s why it’s so important to brush, floss, and see your dentist at least twice a year. If your gum disease has advanced, your dentist may suggest periodontal therapy, root planing, or scaling — all procedures that remove the infection but do NOT prevent it from occurring again. If you don’t seek treatment, you will ultimately experience bone loss around your tooth roots, resulting in tooth loss.

An Ounce of Prevention

The best treatment for gum disease is to never get it in the first place. In order to prevent it, you must brush your teeth after every meal, floss DAILY, avoid foods that stick to your teeth, and see the dentist every six months or as prescribed.

Whether your gums are in pristine condition or you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease, we’d love to count you among our patients. We proudly serve patients in Boca Raton, Florida, and the surrounding regions. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.