Something Else That Makes February Special
With Valentine’s Day on the 14th, red is a popular color to see this month. If you notice that your gums are the same color as your red decorations or clothing, you may be experiencing a common issue with your oral health. February is Gum Disease Awareness Month. Gum disease is a serious gum infection accompanied by inflammation caused by bacterial growth along the gumline and around the base of the tooth. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications with your oral and overall health. Read on to learn more.
Gum Disease Awareness Month
February is recognized as Gum Disease Awareness Month as a way to make the general public aware of the damage gum disease can do to your oral and overall health. Gum disease affects approximately half of American adults. That means you or someone you love will be affected by this disease. Gum disease often remains undetected, so it is extremely important to be mindful of any changes in your oral health and contact our office immediately if you notice a problem.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
The ways to prevent gum disease are rather simple. The most important thing is to be sure to brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes twice a day. It is also extremely important to use dental floss daily as well. Dental floss is helpful in removing lingering food and bacteria from between your teeth. Mouthwash can also be helpful in rinsing the remaining bacteria from your mouth. Not having an oral hygiene routine can lead to the development of plaque on your teeth. Plaque at the bottom of your teeth, along the gumline, leads to gum disease.
We also recommend visiting our office regularly for routine hygiene examinations and cleanings. During these visits, we remove any lingering plaque from your teeth and around the gumline. We also check our gums for signs of gum disease. If detected early, we can recommend treatment before a bigger problem develops.
If you or someone you care about is due for a routine hygiene examination, be sure to contact our office located in Houston, TX. We also want to hear from you if you are concerned about the state of your gums or have any other oral health concerns. We look forward to hearing from you soon!