Have you been lucky enough to be told that you have bad breath? While you may have felt embarrassed or offended at first, you’ve actually been given a great opportunity! Chronic bad breath is one of the early indicators that you may have gum disease, and now is the time to contact Dr. Deborah Romack and Dr. Garrett Mulkey at Cosmetic & Family Dentistry and schedule a cleaning and check up appointment. Catching gum disease in its earliest stage is the best way to ensure that you can effectively manage it. Here are some tips on how you can prevent gums disease in Weatherford.
What is Gum Disease?
Also known as periodontal disease, this condition occurs when your gum tissue separates from your teeth due to excessive plaque and tartar build up. This allows dangerous bacteria into your system that will gradually destroy your gum tissue and bone, leading to tooth loss.
This bacteria can also enter into your bloodstream and contribute to other health concerns in the body such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. For this reason it’s very important not to ignore the signs of gum disease, and the more quickly you act the better your chances are of successfully managing it.
What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
Gum disease can be very sneaky since there are not many symptoms, or much pain associated with it at first. Many patients aren’t even aware of their condition. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and some signs to look for are:
- Gums that are red and swollen
- Chronic bad breath that won’t go away
- Gums that bleed when you brush your teeth
The good news is that if detected in this stage, gum disease is more easily managed with improved home care and a thorough cleaning. Sometimes gingivitis in Weatherford can be reversed.
Prevention is the Key
At Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we know that prevention is the key to keeping gum disease at bay. This is why we recommend that our patients see us every six months. We screen for gum disease and other oral health conditions at these check ups, as well as removing the excessive plaque build up during your cleaning that causes gum disease and tooth decay. We’re happy to be your lifelong partners and mentors in achieving and maintaining healthy and beautiful teeth for a lifetime.
Your health is too important to ignore! Contact us today to schedule your next cleaning and check up.