If you’ve heard this once, you’ve heard it a thousand times. But this simple warning isn’t just for your teeth. Your gums need to be included in your daily oral health regimen as well.

Improve Gum Health & Save Your Teeth

Did you know that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults? Every year, millions of people lose teeth as a result of gum disease, most often caused by poor oral hygiene. You can brush and whiten your teeth all you want, but if your gums aren’t healthy, then the health of your teeth is probably deteriorating as well.

Healthy teeth depend on the health of your gums. The gum tissue protects the foundation of the teeth including the supporting bone. If unhealthy gum tissue is left untreated, even the healthiest teeth can become loose and fall out.

Early Detection is Key

Gum disease may progress painlessly with few obvious warning signs. In fact, many people do not recognize the warning signs of gingivitis – the earliest stage of gum disease – until it has progressed to periodontitis. Untreated, the inflammation can invade connective tissue and even bone. The earlier you detect warning signs of gum disease, the better chance you will have of reversing the damage and preventing tooth loss.

Common signs of gum disease include:

• Gums that appear red or swollen
• Gums that feel tender
• Gums that bleed easily
• Gums that pull away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Change in bite

The good news is that for most patients, gum disease is easy to prevent and can even reverse in the early stages. Attention to everyday oral hygiene (brushing and flossing), coupled with professional exams and cleanings with a Loudoun Dental Smiles professional, could be all that’s needed to avoid gum disease and keep your teeth for a lifetime. If you think you might have gum disease, Call Loudoun Dental Smiles we work with our patients to retain healthy gums.