Gum disease is a significant concern for several reasons. On one hand, it’s the second-most common chronic oral health issue to affect adults, next to tooth decay. On the other hand, it’s the leading cause of adult tooth loss in adults, due mainly to the fact that patients often allow it to progress severely before seeking treatment for it. At our East El Paso dental office, preventing gum disease is an important focus of the routine family dental care we provide. If you fail to prevent it, then we can still help you avoid its destructive consequences by addressing your gum disease as soon as possible.
It’s not really a secret
The secret to successfully preventing gum disease isn’t really a secret. The disease is caused by harmful oral bacteria that settle underneath your gums, and preventing it relies mainly on preventing oral bacteria from doing so. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice every day and flossing at least once, taking special care to clean plaque and food particles off of your gum line. It also means attending a checkup and cleaning appointment at least once every six months, where we can ensure that your teeth and gums remain free of plaque and tartar (calcified plaque).
Why gum disease is so common
Despite the fact that preventing gum disease is no secret, it still develops and occurs frequently enough to make it one of the most common oral health concerns. You may not always stick to your excellent hygiene routine or your schedule of checkups and cleanings. It only takes one small slip-up for bacteria to settle under your gums and lead to gum disease. For many people, the earliest signs of the disease are not always obvious, or they don’t seem serious enough to seek immediate attention. This gives the disease time to develop fully and become irreversible.
Improve your chances
Knowing the basics of preventing gum disease means you can be more aware of sticking to your hygiene routine every day, without fail, and your schedule of preventive dental visits. This not only increases your chances of preventing gum disease, but also your chances of detecting it early if it does develop. When you catch and treat gum disease early, you have an excellent chance of preventing the damage that it can cause to your gums, periodontal ligaments, jawbone structure, and more.
Learn how to prevent gum disease
Preventing gum disease is more possible than you might realize, but it may take a bit more attention to your teeth and gums than you’re used to. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling Sunny Smiles in East El Paso, TX, today at 915-849-9000! We also have offices in Northeast and West El Paso, and we happily serve patients from Chaparral, Canutillo, Vinton, and all surrounding communities.