Visit Your Dentist in Sterling Heights, MI to Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease does not only happen to the elderly—it can happen at any age.  Many U.S. adults currently have some form of gum disease ranging from simple gum inflammation to serious damage of the tissue and bone supporting your teeth.  Gum disease is a serious issue, with health implications worsening as the condition develops, allowing it to spread to other areas of your body.  Gum disease originates in the gums, where infections form from harmful bacteria and other matter left behind from eating.  In many cases, gum disease can go unnoticed for months until damage is severe.  By visiting our Sterling Heights, MI dentist, we can help you keep your teeth by protecting yourself from the development of gum disease.
 
 

What is Gum Disease?

 
 
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding a tooth, which is the leading cause of tooth loss.  Once gum disease sets in, the toxins that are produced by the bacteria damage your teeth’s connective tissue and bone.  This can eventually destroy them and bring forth tooth loss. 
 
 
Some common signs of gum disease include:
 
  • ·Bleeding gums during brushing or otherwise
     
  • ·Sensitive, red or swollen gums
     
  • ·Bad breath
     
  • ·Teeth that are loose or appear to have shifted
 
There are a number of causes of gum disease, which can be corrected and controlled.  One cause of gum disease includes improper dental hygiene.  If plaque is not properly removed through daily dental hygiene practices and regular professional dental cleaning, bacteria may set in and cause gingivitis, the earliest sign of gum disease.   Other causes of gum disease include organic changes in the mouth, medical conditions, saliva flow inhibitors and poor functional habits, such as teeth grinding.
 
 

Prevention and Treatment

 
 
Untreated gingivitis will usually progress into more serious stages of gum disease, which cause irreversible bone loss and potential tooth loss.  Prevention is essential in the maintenance of your smile.  The best way to prevent gum disease is to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, visiting Dr. Sheela Neral, our Sterling Heights dentist, for regular checkups and maintaining a proper, nutritious diet.
 
Choosing the proper toothbrush is important in prevention as well.  Softer brushes are less likely to injure your gums, and electric toothbrushes often encourage better brushing habits.  Remember not to brush too vigorously, though.  Brushing too long or too hard can do more harm than good. 
 
Regular dental exams with Dr. Neral are necessary to remove tartar and to detect early signs of gum disease, but your own dental health regimen also plays a major role in preventing the build-up and progression of tartar.  Some preventative steps you can take at home to keep your teeth healthy include:
 
  • · Brush your teeth twice a day
     
  • · Floss daily to remove plaque
     
  • · Eat a well-balanced diet
     
  • ·Use a mouth rinse in conjunction with brushing and flossing
     
  • ·Avoid cigarettes and chewing tobacco
 
When gum disease is detected in its earliest stages, it is extremely manageable and reversible.  If you are experiencing bleeding white brushing or any other symptoms of gum disease, contact Dr. Sheela Neral, our dentist in Sterling Heights, for further examination.  Remember, early diagnosis and prevention are key in the maintenance of your smile.

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