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In honor of February’s Gum Disease Awareness Month—a global campaign dedicated to preventing gum disease—Lockwood Family Dental is committed to spreading awareness about this common yet serious condition. Left untreated, gum disease can severely damage your smile, but the good news is that you can take steps to protect your oral health and prevent it from progressing.
What are the Causes?
Gum disease is primarily caused by bacteria found in dental plaque, the sticky, colorless film that forms on your teeth. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, this bacterial film can break down both tooth enamel and gum tissue. Over time, plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed during a professional dental cleaning. If left untreated, the constant bacterial attacks can lead to gum disease.
Influencing Factors
While poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of gum disease, several other factors can increase your risk of developing it, including:
- Stress
- High-sugar diets
- Chronic tobacco use
- Alcohol consumption
- Misaligned teeth that make cleaning difficult
- Hormonal changes
- Conditions like cancer and diabetes
- Mouth breathing, which dries out oral tissues
Recognize the Symptoms
Gum disease often starts silently, with no immediate pain. However, there are key symptoms you should watch for:
- Bleeding gums during brushing and flossing
- Red, tender, or swollen gums
- Persistent bad breath or a foul taste in your mouth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Receding gums or gums pulling away from teeth
- Loose teeth or shifting bite patterns
- Ill-fitting dentures
- Pus around teeth and gums
- Pain while chewing
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to visit Lockwood Family Dental to evaluate your oral health and begin treatment if needed.
3 Stages of Gum Disease
- Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the earliest stage, marked by inflammation, swelling, and bleeding gums. At this stage, the disease is reversible because it hasn’t affected the bone or connective tissue. - Periodontitis
As gum disease progresses into periodontitis, it causes irreversible damage to the bone and tissues supporting your teeth. You may notice deep gum pockets where plaque builds up below the gum line, often requiring treatments like scaling and root planing. - Advanced Periodontitis
Without treatment, gum disease reaches its final stage—advanced periodontitis. By this point, the supportive bone and tissue are significantly damaged, causing teeth to become loose or shift. This can impact your bite, speech, and ability to chew. Tooth extraction may be necessary if the condition isn’t treated.
How to Prevent: Be Proactive!
Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent gum disease and maintain healthy gums:
- Follow a diligent daily oral hygiene routine, brushing and flossing at least twice a day.
- Visit Lockwood Family Dental for biannual dental checkups and professional cleanings.
- After eating, especially snacks, drink water to rinse away food particles and bacteria.
- Limit sugary foods, and when you do indulge, chew sugar-free gum to promote saliva production and help wash away bacteria.
- If you use tobacco, now is the perfect time to quit for the sake of your gum health.
By raising awareness during Gum Disease Awareness Month, Lockwood Family Dental hopes to inspire you to take a proactive approach to protect your oral health. Remember, healthy gums are the foundation of a beautiful, vibrant smile!
