Do your gums bleed a little when you brush? Maybe your dentist has even told you that you're showing the early signs of gum disease. It's easy to shrug this off as not that big of an issue since it's not currently causing any serious pain. But gum disease really is a big deal. Here's a closer look.
Why is gum disease so bad?
It's not the minor bleeding and redness you're experiencing now that's such a huge deal -- it's what it can lead to. Gum disease can quickly progress to the point that you have pockets between your gums and teeth. Bacteria and plaque get caught in these pockets, and that makes matters much worse. Before you know it, the infection can spread into the periodontal ligaments, which are the tissues that anchor your teeth into your jaw bone. This causes the teeth to become loose; you may actually feel them wiggling around in the sockets. Eventually, you may lose these teeth.
Gum disease, at any stage, also makes tooth decay more likely. The same bacteria cause tooth decay and gum disease, so when you have gum disease, you have more of these bacteria in your mouth. Over time, this makes cavities more likely. You may find yourself needing more fillings -- or even crowns if you don't catch the decay quickly.
How do you manage gum disease?
If you're lucky enough to have caught the condition when it's only causing some minor bleeding and redness, you're lucky. Take action now, and you won't have to deal with all of the problems discussed above. You should do the following:
Brush twice a day for two minutes, really focusing on the areas where your teeth meet your gums.
Rinse your mouth out with mouthwash or salt water after each time you brush; this helps keep oral bacteria under control.
Floss every day, and make sure you are fully pushing the floss down and around each tooth rather than just popping it in and out from between your teeth. If you struggle with flossing, try using flossing picks or thinner floss.
If your gum disease symptoms don't clear up within a week or two, see your dentist. A thorough cleaning and perhaps some prescription mouthwash will bring the problem under control before you start suffering more serious symptoms.
To learn more about gum disease and dealing with it, speak with a dentist, such as Paul Dona DDS, in your local area.