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Something to Smile
About
Caring for your oral health includes
regular teeth care and gum care. Neglecting
your gums can eventually lead to periodontal
disease, also known as gum disease, which
is a culprit for the deterioration of
your overall oral health. Periodontal
disease affects 75% of adults over 35
years of age and is responsible for approximately
70% of all adult tooth loss. Since symptoms
of periodontal disease oftentimes are
unnoticeable, people never realize their
mouth is under bacterial attack.
Highly
recognized as a greatly progressive disorder,
periodontal disease is triggered by preventable
factors like plaque build-up, tobacco
use, certain medications and stress,
as well as unpreventable measures like
systematic disease and fluctuating hormone
levels during puberty, pregnancy or menopause.
Research proves up to 30% of the population
may be genetically susceptible to gum
disease.
Periodontal disease begins when the
bacteria in the sticky film which forms
on the tooth surface, or plaque, causes
gum inflammation. If the irritation is
ignored, plaque will release toxins breaking
down the natural fibers which hold your
gums to your teeth, permitting even more
bacteria and toxins to invade. Plaque
deposits quickly harden into calculus
or tartar, which is a rough, porous substance
not removable with brushing. Over time,
this progression can lead to severe inflammation,
bone loss, gum recession and tooth loss.
Symptoms and signs include:
- Red, swollen, tender or bleeding
gums
- Gum recession, or gums pulling away
from teeth
- Loose or separating teeth
- Pus between the gum and tooth
- Persistent bad breath
- Bite changes
- Change in the fit of partial dentures
If you have noticed any
of the above signs or symptoms, please
make an appointment promptly! Together,
we can win the battle against periodontal
disease and maintain your wonderful,
dazzling smile: gums and all. Now that’s
something to smile about.
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