• 04 SEP 20
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    Improve Your Gum Health During National Gum Care Month

    Improve Your Gum Health During National Gum Care Month

    September is National Gum Care Month and its purpose is to bring awareness to the disease and to focus attention on the ways you can improve gum health. Gums are considered to be the foundation of healthy teeth. When gum tissue becomes infected with bacteria from dental plaque and tartar, bone loss and tooth loss occur. This is also known as advanced gingivitis or periodontal disease. Periodontal disease puts patients at a higher risk for other medical conditions such as heart disease, dementia, and diabetes. And in pregnant women, it can also lead to premature birth.

    What is Gum Disease?

    Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It’s typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque to build up on your teeth and harden.

    What Causes Gum Disease?

    Our mouths are full of bacteria which is continually forming a sticky, colorless “plaque” on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque, but plaque that is not removed can harden and form “tartar” that brushing doesn’t clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dental hygienist can remove tartar.

    Warning Signs of Gum Disease

    • Bleeding gums when you brush or floss your teeth are early symptoms of gingivitis.
    • Red, puffy, swollen, or tender gums
    • Receding gums
    • Gaps or pockets at the gum line where it has separated from your teeth
    • Changes in how your teeth fit together
    • Any sign of infection at the gum line
    • A persistent bad taste in the mouth or bad breath

     

    Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS indicates that periodontal disease is often discovered after it has persisted for an extended period of time. She has outlined three simple, but important ways to improve the health of your gums.

    1. Brush Your Teeth and Gums Twice a Day With a Fluoride Toothpaste:  Brushing helps cleanse the whole mouth of disease-causing bacteria, keeping teeth healthy and strong, and toughening the gums so they’re more resistant to disease.
    2.  Floss Once a Day:  Floss every day, preferably at bed time – to remove plaque from between teeth. While most people are in the habit of brushing their teeth twice a day, flossing is a less common habit.
    3.  Visit Dr. Evanson Every 6 months:  Brushing and flossing go a long way in keeping your teeth and gums healthy, but it’s still important to have an examination at least twice a year. A thorough check-up and professional cleaning will help you keep on top of any problems that may affect the health of your teeth and gums.

     

    Ignoring Gum Health Leads to Gum Disease / Periodontitis 

    Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, a mild form of gum disease when plaque accumulates on the teeth. The good news is that gingivitis is reversible, however, if left untreated, it progresses to the more aggressive periodontitis, which has irreversible effects on gum tissue, ligaments, and bone and gums that recede from teeth and form pockets that can become infected.

    Do You Think You Have Gum Disease?

    If you suspect that you have gum disease, call our office at (720) 409-0008 or contact us online to make an appointment. 

    Dr. Evanson is skilled in treating gum disease and will work with you to help deter the progression of this disease. Located in Parker, Dr. Evanson provides quality dental care for children and families living in Highlands Ranch, Aurora, Castle Rock and Lone Tree. 

    Let her help you get on the right track in caring for your teeth and gums before it becomes irreversible.

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