Why Routine Care Is So Important

One of our goals is to help you keep your natural teeth for your entire life. There are a number of ways that we do this, but the most important is through hygiene examinations and cleanings. When you visit us for routine appointments, we not only clean your teeth thoroughly, but we also inspect for other diseases that can seriously impact your oral health. Do you know which oral disease affects more than half of American adults and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults? Read on to learn if you guessed correctly.

Gum Disease

Gum disease affects more than half of American adults and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. It is a serious gum infection that often remains undetected and is accompanied by inflammation, caused by bacterial growth along the gumline and around the base of the tooth. When left untreated, it can eventually destroy the jawbone, leading to tooth loss.

One of the best ways to combat gum disease is to remain diligent with your oral health, especially when cleaning your mouth and teeth at home. If you are unsure of how to properly brush and floss your teeth, our hygienists are more than happy to give you friendly advice and help educate you on the proper techniques.

Recognizing Gum Disease

Gum disease is known as a silent disease because it does not cause extreme discomfort as do other conditions such as tooth decay. Oftentimes, patients do not realize that they have gum disease until it is too late and they are in the progressive stages of the disease. There are certain signs you can look out for which may be a clue that you might be experiencing issues with your gums:

• Gums that bleed after brushing or flossing
• Tender or inflamed gums
• Bright red gums
• Unexplained and continuous bad breath
• Receding gum line

If you are located in the St. Marys, GA area and are experiencing any of the warning signs above or have not visited our office within the past six months for a hygiene examination and cleaning, we hope you call our office today to schedule an appointment.