Your dentist in Enid, OK, can help you fight gum disease.
When people notice your smile, they also notice your gums. If your gums are swollen, puffy, and red, it’s hard to ignore. It also could mean you have gum disease. The good news is, you can do a lot to protect yourself from gum disease, and your dentist can help.
Your Enid, OK, dentist, Dr. Stephanie Herbst of Enid Dental Care, provides a wide range of dental services, including treatment of gum and periodontal disease.
So, how do you know if you have gum disease?
Your gums may be:
- Swollen
- Puffy
- Red
- Irritated
- Painful
You might also notice:
- Bleeding when you brush, floss, or eat
- Frequent bad breath
- A frequent sour taste in your mouth
Gum disease is caused by bacteria contained in the plaque on your teeth. The bacteria can irritate, inflame, and destroy your gums. That’s why the best way to protect yourself from gum disease is to:
- Brush after you eat and before you go to sleep; use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush every surface of every tooth. You can also gently brush your tongue, which is a common place for bacteria to hide.
- Floss your teeth at least once each day. Make sure you wrap the floss around the tooth surface as you go down in between teeth. This helps to ensure the floss stays firmly against the tooth surface.
- You should also visit us at least every 6 months for a comprehensive dental examination, including x-rays. Your dentist will also clean your teeth every 6 months to help keep bacteria levels low.
The bacteria associated with gum disease can spread if gum disease goes untreated. That means the ligaments, fibers, and bone that support your teeth can become infected too, giving you periodontal disease. Untreated periodontal disease can cause you to lose your teeth and your smile.
To learn more about how you can protect yourself from gum disease, call Your Enid, OK, dentist, Dr. Herbst at Enid Dental Care. You can reach us at (580) 237-2213 today!