From Gum Disease …To a Healthy Smile
We sometimes feel that we are harping about gum disease at the office, but we really do see it as the #1 dental problem for adults. While most of us will experience it to some degree at some time during our lives, credible estimates of the number of stricken adults run from 75-90%. That’s a lot of potential suffering.
There are certain conditions and times of life that can predispose you to gum disease:
• a poor diet that is lacking in vitamins, minerals, calcium, and antioxidants which can help you to fight disease and build healthy teeth and gums
• lack of effective home-care routines and dental visits to monitor your oral health
• systemic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer
• stress, smoking, and alcohol consumption
• medications that can cause dry mouth or otherwise affect your gums
• times of hormonal fluctuations including pregnancy, menopause, and male andropause
• Outdated or ill-fitting restorations like dentures that rub your gums, or fillings, crowns, or bridges that interfere with your ability to keep your teeth clean, especially near the gumline.
Gum disease is preventable, treatable, and sometimes though not always, reversible. The truth is that for most people, gum disease worsens slowly, and there’s no way to determine its severity without coming in for a detailed examination. Let us help you be in your best health!
© Patient News