Periodontal disease is one of the major causes of tooth erosion. As many as 47.2 percent of U.S. adults 30 or older live with some form of periodontitis, so we’re continuously seeing for it in our Fayetteville, North Carolina, office. Here are some basics on periodontal disease to aid you to understand what you can do to mitigate your risk for forming swollen, bloody gums.
If you have a form of periodontal disease, you’re not alone. Some estimates by the Center for Disease Control suggest that around 70 percent of U.S. adults 65 and older have gum disease. Men account for 56.4 percent of gum disease in the U.S., with women accounting for the other 38.4 percent.
Identifying gum disease can be tricky because some symptoms might not manifest in early phases. Be careful if you sense any of the following: tender gums or painful teeth-brushing, bleeding gums, loosening teeth or a change in the placement of your bite, receding gums or chompers that look longer than normal, or mouth sores or fluid around the teeth and gums. If you believe you may have periodontal disease, ask us to look at your gums and look at your risk factors.
Gum disease is usually preventable with great oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth and flossing after meals, using mouthwash, and visiting your dentist regularly will help you in foiling periodontal disease and related side effects.
At Lewis Family Dentistry, we’re here to assist you in the fight against gum disease. Dr. Kenneth Lewis and our team are trained to work with gum disease, so please don’t hesitate to pencil in your next checkup with us by calling 910.488.0518 now.