When you brush your teeth, do your gums bleed? Are your gums swollen and tender? You may have a bacterial condition known as gingivitis.
But never fear; you are not along. Over 80 million Americans have some form of gum disease, and many other types of gum disease fall under the umbrella of periodontal disease.
Gingivitis begins when bacteria build up in between your teeth, causing these unpleasant symptoms:
Irritation of the gums
Redness, swelling and tenderness
Bleeding of the gums
Inflammation
Unexplained bad breath
Left untreated, gingivitis will worsen to eventually include bone loss and tooth loss and a more severe condition known as periodontitis. Additionally, teeth will become loose and fall out, leading to the need for expensive dental implants.
Fortunately, gingivitis can be prevented. The disease can also be treated to reverse damage and avoid the tooth loss so common with untreated gingivitis.
Gingivitis Prevention
The most common way to prevent gingivitis is excellent home oral care. Brushing and flossing are excellent preventative measures as follows:
Daily brushing- at least twice a day
Daily flossing- at least once a day
Regular dental visits- about every six months
Additionally, eating a healthy diet and avoiding sugary foods and drinks that can remain on your teeth and contribute to bacteria buildup and cavities can also help. Consider using an antiseptic mouth rinse as well.
When it is so easy to maintain a beautiful, healthy smile at home and with regular dental visits, why would anyone avoid this and be forced to deal with the terrible consequences of periodontal disease?
Gingivitis Treatment
Have you already developed gingivitis? Contact your dentist immediately to schedule a professional cleaning called scaling to control bacteria buildup and reverse the damage.
When choosing a dentist, consider a dentist with special training in cosmetic dentistry, a combination of art and science that creates Hollywood smiles that are also extremely healthy.
Cosmetic dentists can correct tiny chips or perform a complete Smile Makeover, including these procedures:
Resizing too large or too small teeth
Brightening stained and discolored enamel
Reducing gummy smiles
Replacing old metal fillings
Replacing missing teeth
Why cant your general dentist help you? Think about it like this: would you ask a plumber to fix your computer? General dentists, while very dedicated to your oral health, have not received the specialized training of a cosmetic dentist. General dentists can correct functional issues, but cosmetic dentists are interested in both function and beauty. Cosmetic dentists also offer sedation dentistry, so that even if you have been fearful of the dentist in the past, you can get the dental work you need and the beautiful smile you want.
Getting to know your cosmetic dentist will go a long way towards improving your overall oral health, preventing tooth decay, replacing missing teeth, reverting gum disease, and improving your smile to enhance your self-esteem. Make an appointment today and wake up tomorrow to a more beautiful you.
Take good care of your teeth and do not allow the cost of dental care to prevent you from seeing a dental professional to help prevent these conditions.
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