February is Gum Disease Awareness Month. It’s also a good time to remind you that nearly half of adults 30 and older have some kind of gum infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
At our Beverly, MA dental office, we want your mouth – including your gums – to be as healthy as possible. With that in mind, here are four things you should know about periodontal health.
1. You Need to Do More Than Brush
You should continue brushing your teeth (twice daily for two minutes), but you also need to clean between your teeth and gums. That means using dental floss, flossers, or a water flosser once per day to remove food particles and prevent plaque buildup in the hard-to-reach places.
2. You Should Learn Symptoms of Gum Infections
Considering how common periodontal disease is, you should familiarize yourself with the signs:
- Bleeding gums
- Red, swollen gums
- Sore or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Receding gums
- Pimple-like bumps on your gums
- Loose teeth
3. You Should Seek Treatment at the First Sign of Trouble
Do not wait to do something about your infected gums. Many people are not aware that gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. While your focus should always be on prevention, you should not postpone treatment when it’s needed.
4. You Should Come to Us for Gum Care
We are a general dental office, but you can get expert gum treatment here. Dr. Martins is a board-certified periodontist, which means she has specialized training on gum health.
Call 978-288-1946 or use our online form to request an appointment at Martins Dental Partners in Beverly, MA.
