At our dental office in St. Petersburg, we take gum disease seriously and we want all of our patients to be aware of the signs of gum disease, how it can affect the rest of body, and how to prevent it.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

“Periodontal disease” is the technical name for gum disease, an infection of those tissues that support and surround your teeth. While there are times when gum disease doesn’t have any signs, common symptoms that could indicate a problem include:

• Gums that bleed during and after tooth brushing

• Red, swollen or tender gums

• Persistent bad breath or bad taste in the mouth

• Receding gums

• Formation of deep pockets between teeth and gums

• Loose or shifting teeth

Furthermore, gum disease not only causes issues in your mouth, it can also indicate other problems within your body and make you more susceptible to serious health issues and diseases.

In fact, people with gum disease are more prone to strokes, heart attacks, heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes, among other severe health concerns.

How Can You Prevent Gum Disease?

• Brush 2-3 times a day for 2-3 minutes with a soft toothbrush and an anti-plaque toothpaste.

• Floss once a day, and rinse twice a day with a good mouthwash.

• Avoid sticky sweet foods – prolonged contact can damage teeth.

• Don’t smoke. Using tobacco multiplies your risk of gum disease by six times and makes it harder to treat.

• Make sure to see your St. Petersburg dentist at least twice a year.

Visiting Tague Dental Care regularly is a great way to keep an eye on your oral health and also to spot any trouble areas before they have a chance to become big problems. If we do happen to find active gum disease, don’t worry. Although gum disease is a scary thing, it is easily treatable with early detection.

If you’re due for a regular visit or if you have noticed any of the symptoms we’ve talked about here, give us a call at our St. Petersburg dental office today.