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With all of the diseases out there, we probably don’t associate any of them with our gums right? Well today, we are going to give you three facts about gum disease to show you why it’s important to practice good oral hygiene now to prevent the disease from happening to your gums.

Gum disease is more common than you think

Did you know that over half of Americans over the age of 30 have periodontitis? That means nearly 65 million suffer from gum disease. Gum disease is also common among men, women and children.

There are two types of gum disease

Gingivitis is the first and more common stage of gum disease. Signs of gingivitis include swollen, red or bleeding gums or persistent bad breath. Periodontitis is a more advanced stage of gum disease that often requires extensive treatments to remove and treat the damage.

Periodontitis causes the top layer of the gum and bone to separate from the teeth, forming small pockets of space around each tooth. The space is then filled with debris, allowing plaque to spread under the gumline which causes teeth to become loose and fall out.

Gum disease is preventable

With proper care of your teeth and gums, you can prevent gum disease from happening. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, rinsing with an antiseptic mouth wash, staying in good physical health and visiting your dentist for semi-annual professional cleanings are all great ways to keep your gums in tip-top shape to prevent gum disease.

Don’t let your gums suffer; give our office a call today at 208.524.3400! We’ll make sure your mouth is healthy and strong for years to come.