To achieve a healthy and beautiful smile, you need to protect your gums as well as your teeth by brushing and flossing every day. Neglecting your smile can lead to the development of gum disease. We encourage you to take steps to prevent gum disease because it’s harmful to your smile.

A buildup of plaque leads to inflammation of the gum tissue, which is why plaque needs to be removed. The early stage of gum disease, gingivitis, can be treated by improving your daily dental habits and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash, which eliminates bacterial plaque and washes away food particles. If left untreated, gingivitis causes your gums to swell and bleed easily and can lead to a more advanced stage of gum disease.

Periodontitis is an advanced stage when pockets form in the tissue below the gum line. This allows the accumulation of plaque and food particles, and at this stage, the bones and tissue supporting your teeth become damaged as the gum tissue is infected. Without treatment, the structures in your mouth continue to break down and will eventually be destroyed. Your teeth will become loose and fall out.

To prevent gum disease, brush at least twice a day and floss at least once before rinsing with a mouthwash. Visit the dentist every six months or less for a professional dental cleaning so that we can remove any plaque and tartar above or below your gum line. During these regular dental checkups and cleanings, we can detect any early signs of gum disease.

If you would like to schedule a visit with Dr. [doctor_name] to learn more about gum disease in [city], [state], and why it’s harmful, please call [practice_name] at [phone] today!