You might hear about it quite often, especially from your dentist, but gum disease is more of a concern than many people realize. As one of the most common dental conditions among adults today, gum disease (periodontal disease) is also the leading cause of permanent tooth loss. If it’s allowed to progress that far, the condition might even pose a serious risk to your overall health and wellbeing. Fortunately, gum disease is highly preventable with proper care and attention, and the right combination of home hygiene and regular professional dental care.
Before It’s a Disease
Gingivitis is commonly synonymous with gum disease, but the former is actually a precursor to the latter. Beginning as an excess amount of bacterial plaque gathering on your teeth and gum line, gingivitis is an infection that causes gum tissues to swell and sometimes bleed. It can usually be prevented by brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice every day and visiting your dentist as often as recommended. Even if gingivitis develops, it might still be reversed if detected and treated early enough.
More Trouble Than You Know
If gum disease is allowed to develop, then reversal is no longer an option, and protecting your smile means keeping the disease under control. If not addressed, the swelling (inflammation) and destruction of your gums can spread to the jawbone underneath, deteriorating the bone’s ability to retain all of your teeth. Besides tooth loss, gum disease can also exacerbate your risk for certain systemic illnesses, particularly those involving rampant inflammation, such as diabetes and heart disease. To keep your smile whole and healthy, and eliminate some of the risk factors of more serious health issues, be sure to brush and floss your teeth daily, and visit Dr. Wright and Dr. Heron for a dental checkup and cleaning as soon as possible.
ABOUT YOUR SOUTHLAKE DENTISTS:
As a native Texan, Gregory Wright, DDS, opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.
