If you are an American adult, there's a good chance that you have gum disease. You may not notice any symptoms, and you probably brush and floss. So naturally you assume there is no problem, right? While you may not feel or see any gum disease symptoms, over half of adults over age 30 in America suffer from periodontal disease. That means you need to take preventative and corrective measures so that you do not become part of this startling statistic.

How You Can Spot The Signs Of Gum Disease

To get ahead of this issue, you need to be able to recognize the problem at hand. Many people dismiss the symptoms of periodontal disease as normal occurrences. For example, you may think a bit of bleeding while flossing is normal. It happens to everyone, doesn't it? Sure, it happens to a lot of people, but that does not mean it is healthy. Symptoms of gum disease include:

  • tenderness or bleeding when flossing
  • sensitivity in your teeth
  • red and inflamed gums
  • persistent bad breath

For people with advanced gum disease, receding gums and painful chewing are fairly common. If you experience these two symptoms, make sure to promptly schedule an appointment with a dentist.

How You Can Treat And Prevent Gum Disease

You should take preventative measures whether or not you experience any of the signs of gum disease. Since your risk is so high, there is no such thing as being too careful. You should consider:

  • flossing thoroughly twice per day – This will remove debris and plaque that are prime causes of gum disease.
  • using a dental pick – You can easily purchase a dental pick at most drugstores, but make sure to use as directed.
  • using mouthwash daily – This is particularly important if you smoke or consume lots of sugary foods. Mouthwash has antiseptic properties that may reduce or prevent periodontal disease.

Of course, you should also brush your teeth and tongue twice per day. Work these other tasks into your dental cleaning routine, and they will quickly become second nature.

What Else Should You Do?

You can spot signs of gum disease at home, and you can certainly take measures to kill bacteria. However, you cannot self-diagnose or determine what stage of gum disease you have. Make sure to visit a dentist like Bradley T Piotrowski DDS MSD LLC at least once every six months to keep your oral health in check. If you suspect you may have a periodontal disease, set up an appointment to get a thorough examination and treatment.

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