As Gum Disease Awareness Month comes to an end, our team at Owens Dental of Crofton is sharing some important information about what’s widely-known in dentistry as the silent killer.

It gets this name honestly because the early stage of gum disease can sneak up on you without showing any obvious signs of spread to the untrained eye.

That’s why you should always keep your routine dental appointments with us. The sooner we catch it, the better the chance of reversing gum disease and keeping it under control.

3 Important Facts To Know About Gum Disease

Here are just three things you should know about gum disease that will help you know how to better protect your smile:

#1 – It’s the number one cause of adult tooth loss.

You could lose a tooth for any number of reasons, whether it’s a mishap while playing sports, an accident that results in an injury to your mouth, or even tooth decay that wasn’t treated.

But nothing causes tooth loss as much as gum disease. As this infection damages healthy gum tissue, it pulls your gums further away from your teeth, destroys bone structure in your jaw, and leaves your teeth without a stable foundation.

Keeping your natural teeth for a lifetime should always be the goal, so avoiding gum disease is paramount in that effort.

#2 – Chronic bad breath is a common sign of gum disease.

You brush and floss every day.

You avoid smelly foods like onions and garlic.

You rinse with minty mouthwash and pop breath mints.

But still, you can’t seem to get rid of the foul odor in your mouth.

Chronic bad breath is one of the tell-tale signs of an oral infection, so don’t dismiss it as just an annoying or embarrassing social problem. Visit the dentist to make sure there isn’t something more serious going on inside your mouth.

#3 – Flossing makes a difference!

Studies show that over half of adults surveyed admit they either don’t floss regularly or even at all. But the truth is that this is a critical part of preventing gum disease.

Flossing eliminates the bits of food that get stuck between your teeth when you eat, which means bacteria won’t have as much fuel to thrive in your mouth. Making sure you do floss once a day and brush twice a day is an important habit that will keep gum disease at bay.

Schedule Your Next Dental Cleaning!

The health of your mouth and body are closely connected, and that requires good oral hygiene and regular dental visits in Crofton, MD for cleanings and exams.

Being proactive when it comes to gum disease is the best way to overcome it and keep your teeth safe. We’re here to help you every step of the way!

Call Owens Dental of Crofton in Crofton, MD at 301-261-3800 or schedule online.