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When it comes to good dental hygiene, your gums are just as important as your teeth in terms of your oral health. In fact, your gums serve as the foundation of your teeth, helping to keep them securely in place. When bacteria infect the gum tissue, it can result in gum disease, or periodontal disease, one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults today. Not to mention that gum disease can impact your overall health and wellbeing, with studies indicating infected gums may be linked to heart disease, artery blockage and stroke. The good news is that gum disease is easily preventable. Attention to daily oral hygiene, coupled with professional cleanings twice a year, is often enough to prevent this harmful infection - and even reverse the early stages of gum disease - and that means helping you keep your teeth for a lifetime. Warning Signs of Gum Disease The leading cause of gum disease is long-term exposure to plaque that forms around the gumlines of the teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids and other toxins that can destroy bone and gum tissue over time. Other factors can affect the health of your gums as well, including tobacco use, genetics, pregnancy, diabetes and poor nutrition. Fortunately, gum disease can be easily treated when it is detected and diagnosed in its early stages. Always notify your Alexandria dentist if you have any of the following warning signs of gum disease:
• Gums that bleed easily, especially after brushing or flossing
• Red, tender, swollen gums
• Gums pulling away from the teeth
• Chronic bad breath or an unpleasant taste
• Change in your bite or in the way your teeth fit together
• Loose or separating teeth
• Change in the fit of dentures or other dental appliances Easy Steps to Prevent Gum Disease Brushing twice a day is important, but isn't always enough to remove plaque from in between the teeth. With that being said it is very important to floss your teeth every day in order to remove food particles and plaque that a tooth brush can't reach. When plaque isn't removed, it will harden into a thick deposit called tartar. And when tartar remains on the teeth and below the gumline, it can lead to chronic infection and inflammation of the gums. The only way to remove tartar is to have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist. A professional dentist has the skills and tools to remove plaque and tarter, and he can easily detect gum disease and other dental problems in their earliest stages. The sooner a problem with your teeth and gums is detected, the less dental work you'll need. Preventing gum disease isn't hard when you are committed to your dental health; yet millions of people suffer from this serious infection without even knowing they have it or recognizing that when left untreated it can lead to tooth loss. Don't take dental care for granted. Understand the warning signs of gum disease, practice good oral hygiene and visit your Alexandria dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups.
Drs. Peter Hanna, Diane Pham and Mollie Gioffre are experienced dentists in Alexandria, VA. From root canal therapy and comprehensive periodontal treatment to tooth-colored fillings and advanced tooth whitening, these dedicated general and cosmetic dentists in Alexandria, VA provide quality dental care to every patient they serve.
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