Three Reasons To Be Concerned About Gum Disease
When you visit your dentist for your regular checkup, one of the topics that your dentist will discuss is the health of your gums. Ideally, you'll hear that your gums are exceedingly healthy and that you should keep doing whatever you're doing to keep them that way — namely, brushing them diligently and using mouthwash. You might, however, hear that your gums aren't in optimal shape and that gum disease could be in your future. This is a serious topic and one about which you should take heed. Make sure to carefully follow your dentist's suggestions for caring for your gums, as doing so can reduce your risk of these complications.
Bad Breath
Bad breath commonly results from having gum disease. This isn't the same as morning breath, which can you typically address by brushing your teeth, or strong breath after a potent meal, which you can address with a breath mind. Instead, gum disease-related bad breath is largely constant. This means that even after you brush your teeth or use a mint, the bad breath will still be noticeable. This issue can make you highly self-conscious when you're talking to people, both at work and in social settings, and is a highly unpleasant side effect of gum disease.
Potential Tooth Loss
Another issue related to gum disease is that you have an increased risk of losing one or more teeth. When your gums are unhealthy, they begin to lose they strength that they possess to hold your teeth in place. Over time, you may notice that a tooth has become slightly loose. Eventually, this tooth may loosen to the point of falling out, at which time you'll require dental work to address the gap in your smile.
Pain While Brushing
You can often tell if you're experiencing the early stages of gum disease because your gums may appear swollen and red. As a result, brushing your teeth can often result in pain — and you'll likely cause your gums to bleed as you brush, too. It's not pleasant to experience pain in your mouth each time you brush your teeth, and this discomfort may also be prevalent when you use dental floss. While flossing, it's common for people with gum disease to experience blood in their mouths. This unpleasantness can dissuade you from further brushing and flossing, which will only worsen the problem.
If you have any questions about how to better care for your teeth, consult your dentist during your next checkup or visit a site like http://dentistsedina.com/.