September is about more than Labor Day and the start of autumn. It’s also National Gum Care Month. Your dentist makes sure to celebrate in style by checking the state of your gums at every appointment. But how are you celebrating? Let’s talk more about how to observe National Gum Care Month by taking care of your gums to prevent needing gum disease treatment in downtown Portland.
What Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease is an infection in your gums caused by built-up plaque and tartar. It starts out with minor symptoms like bleeding gums in downtown Portland, but if left untreated, you open yourself up to major health problems down the road, such as teeth that become loose and even fall out!
Common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
- Loose teeth
- Red or tender gums
- Receding gumline, resulting in teeth that appear “longer”
- Pimples, bumps, or sores in the gums
What Happens If You Don’t Treat Gum Disease?
Bacteria associated with gum disease may create pockets in between your teeth and your gums. Through these pockets, they can enter your bloodstream and travel to other areas of your body. From there, you’re more at risk of contracting other health issues, such as:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s
- Birth complications in pregnant women
How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?
Celebrating National Gum Care Month is pretty easy if you stick to the following steps:
- Visiting your dentist in downtown Portland every six months for a checkup and cleaning
- Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time with fluoridated toothpaste
- Flossing at least once a day
- Quitting smoking and/or chewing tobacco
- Avoiding consuming too many sweet foods
How Can Your Dentist Treat Gum Disease?
If gum disease is caught in the early stage, called gingivitis, it can usually be reversed with an increased oral hygiene regimen and a course of antibiotics. However, once it reaches the advanced stage, known as periodontitis, scaling and root planing may be needed.
Scaling is when your dentist uses an ultrasonic device to break apart any plaque and tartar on the surface of the teeth. Following that, they will perform root planing. This involves smoothing out the rough areas on the roots of your teeth where bacteria like to build up and wreak havoc. These procedures decrease gum inflammation easily.
If you think you may have gum disease, it’s important to contact your dentist right away. It could help you avoid potentially life-threatening complications.
About the Author
Dr. Megan McInnis aims to make all of her patients at River Place Dental feel comfortable every time they walk through her doors. She screens for gum disease at each and every checkup so that she can treat it as soon as possible. If you think you might have gum disease, don’t be afraid to contact Dr. McInnis via her website or by calling (503) 761-1414.