Gingivitis and other types of periodontal disease are more common than people think – in fact, three out of four teeth lost after the age of 35 is due to gum disease. Dakota Dental works with patients to educate them about the importance of taking care of your teeth and identifying gingivitis symptoms.
While many people focus on having healthy teeth, they oftentimes neglect to take care of their gums. Taking care of gums is equally as important, since gums protect and support teeth and the tissue that holds them to the bone. If there is an issue with the gums there is an increased risk of eventually losing teeth.
However, gum disease can sneak up without many obvious signals – discomfort and pain aren’t usually signs, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms of gum infection. Things like swelling gums (called gingivitis), bleeding gums when brushing or flossing, loose teeth, mouth sores, a receding gum line, and constant bad breath can all be indicators of gum disease.
If these symptoms persist and go untreated the gums then begin to pull away from the teeth, letting in more bacteria. This process causes the tissues and bone that support your teeth to break down and loosen the teeth – and eventually, fall out.
To treat existing gum disease, the Apple Valley dentists at Dakota Dental start by removing the root cause of gum disease: plaque buildup around the teeth. They may also take X-rays to determine if there is any bone loss.
To avoid these problems, Dakota Dental recommends regular, twice-a-year checkups. There are several ways to prevent gum disease day to day such as, brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, flossing daily, and using either an antiseptic or fluoride mouth rinse. If you do notice signs of gum disease, make sure to make an appointment right away to address the issue.
For more information, contact Dakota Dental today.
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Dakota Dental
14682 Pennock Avenue
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952-431-5774