Most of the time, people do not really think about their gums when thinking about oral health. The focus is often directed to the teeth alone. The Pennsylvania Dental Implant and Oral Surgery Associates, leading experts of Doylestown periodontal plastic surgery, encourages their clients to also focus their dental habits on their gums. Continue reading to find out why it is equally important to take care of your gums as much as you take care of your teeth.

What Your Gums Do
Your gums mainly support your teeth, particularly the bone structures surrounding it. If you lose a tooth, your gums will recede and consequently destroy your gum line. While missing tooth could be replaced with crowns, if everything below your teeth are not healthy, your teeth aren’t too.

Understanding Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease comes in different types. The most common form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. It is characterized by swollen, red and bleeding gums. Inadequate oral hygiene is the primary cause of periodontal disease but is highly reversible with professional treatment and excellent oral care.

However, if your gingivitis is left untreated, it could advance to periodontitis where plaque can grow and spread below the gum line. The plaque produces bacteria which irritates the gums and consequently destroys the surrounding structures. Eventually, your teeth becomes loose.

Causes and Signs of Periodontal Disease
Apart from poor oral hygiene, other causes of periodontal disease include:

• rough brushing and flossing resulting to bleeding gums
• genetics
• smoking/tobacco use
• puberty, pregnancy and menopause
• teeth grinding
• certain medications
• diabetes

It is best to visit your dental specialists right away if you notice the following signs:

• constant bleeding
• abscesses around your teeth
• pain upon chewing
• puffy and red gums
• bad breath
• tooth shifting

The Number #1 Preventive Measure
Flossing is the number one preventive measure to avoid gum problems. However, most people forget to floss and they only brush their teeth right away. Food particles tend to stay in between teeth, creating an environment conducive to bacteria.

For more information on taking care of your teeth in Doylestown and nearby areas, you can visit our clinics at the Holy Redeemer Hospital and Heritage Gateway Building. Call us at 215.938.7860 or 267.247.5489 for an initial consultation. You can also opt to fill out this appointment request form. We look forward to your visit!