The Equal Importance Of Brushing And Flossing

Gum disease is a common dental problem among adult. The good news is that with good dental care, and proper dental habits at home, gum disease can almost always be prevented. In its early stages, gum disease can be stopped and sometimes even reversed when it is treated.

In its early stages, gum disease is called gingivitis. Gums may be red and bleed a little when you brush, but otherwise you may not notice anything. At this point, the gum disease can be reversed with good dental care. If not treated, the gingivitis will get worse and you might start to notice bleeding from your gums when eating harder foods, such as apples.

As gingivitis progresses, an infection develops at the point of attachment. The results of this infection are puffy gums, traces of blood on your toothbrush, or a change of color in your gums. Even with these symptoms, you still might not experience any pain in your mouth.

If not treated, over time the infection can lead to the breakdown of your gum, bone, and other tissues that are holding your teeth in place. By then, you can notice swelling, bleeding, and color changes in your gums. Your teeth can then become loose and fall out – or you might need a dental professional to take them out.

The health of your gums and teeth is important to your overall health, well-being, and appearance. At its most serious, gum disease can cause pain, abscesses, difficulty in eating, bad breath, and a loss of teeth.

The good news is that in most people gum disease is preventable. Attention to everyday oral hygiene, coupled with professional cleanings twice a year, could be all that’s needed to prevent gum disease and actually reverse the early stage and help you keep your teeth for a lifetime.

Brushing and flossing are equally important. Brushing eliminates only the plaque from the surfaces of the teeth that the brush can reach. Flossing, on the other hand, removes plaque from in between the teeth and under the gum line. Both should be used as part of a regular at-home, self-care treatment plan.

To get more details about your mouth disease visit www.themouthdoctor.com and discover new and effective ways in preventing and eliminating your oral health problems.