Why Gum Disease Is So Prevalent
October 3, 2017
You’ve heard the advice a thousand times from your dentist. Brush and floss daily. Even if you do your due diligence, however, your gums may still become infected. At Comfort Dental, we are here to help you with gum disease in Framingham, MA.
What Is Gum Disease?
When you have unhealthy gums surrounding your teeth, you have a form of gum disease. Common symptoms include:
- Red or swollen gums
- Receding gum line
- Bleeding around your teeth at the gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Pain or swelling that won’t go away
- Loose feeling in the teeth
Gingivitis is the mild form of this infection, and it’s easy to treat. When it progresses it becomes periodontal disease and it’s a much bigger problem. At this stage, the damage to the soft tissues of your mouth requires professional help and you may need surgery.
How It’s Caused
The disease forms when contaminants introduce toxins along the gum lines. Brushing and flossing remove light surface plaque, but stubborn deposits remain. Debris sits on the top of the gums and even seeps down between your teeth and your gums.
Bacterial infections result and weaken the soft tissue. Deep pockets form and trap even more plaque and gunk. It’s impossible to remove this contamination through brushing and flossing alone once it has settled in place. You need professional cleaning.
It’s Common and Easy to Get
You eat food every day and even with a healthy diet some plaque still forms on your teeth. If your brushing and flossing routine is inadequate, you’re vulnerable. Many experience some form of gum disease, but smokers, diabetics, and those with poor oral hygiene habits are at the greatest risk.
Skipping regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist is another mistake. The signs of gum disease often subtle, and you may not recognize that you have the illness until damage is done. We check your gums for signs of infection and scrub away the excess material you can’t reach on your own.
If you are worried that you may have some form of gum disease, contact our office and schedule an appointment with Dr Moghaddam at his Framingham, MA office for an evaluation.