How to Improve the Health of Your Gums

As an adult, you’ve probably learned how important it is to take proper care of your teeth. For starters, how often do you think about not just taking care of your teeth and gums, but actually improving their health? Your gums are an important part of your smile and it’s important to take proper care of them.

Sure, you’ve heard of gum disease, but do you really know what it is? For starters, it’s an annoying bacterial infection usually caused by plaque buildup and it affects every area surrounding your teeth. And if left unchecked, eventually leading to tooth loss, making it the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Also, it’s important that you know that because gum disease doesn’t cause pain early on, most people don’t know that they have an issue. Get to know the different signs and symptoms of early gum disease:

• Halitosis
• Bleeding and/or swollen gums
• Loose teeth
• Receding gums

It’s important that gum disease is caught early on; if not, it advances to what’s known as periodontitis, a condition dangerous because it can cause periodontal pockets, swollen gum and/or bone tissue and even tooth loss. Even worse, recent studies show a direct link between periodontitis and complications in the brain, heart and lungs.

Improving gum health is done by practicing good oral hygiene at home, including brushing teeth for two minutes each time for twice a day and flossing at least once daily. Rinsing with mouthwash helps rid your mouth of the bacteria and plaque that brushing and flossing wasn’t able to remove.

Contact Creative Dimensions Dentistry in Castro Valley, CA at 510-881-8010 to schedule an appointment for a checkup today. 

Creative Dimensions Dentistry proudly serves Castro Valley, San Leandro, Hayward, Oakland, Fremont, Russell City and all surrounding areas.