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What are your gums trying to tell you?

Are they swollen, red, tender, or bleeding? Have your gums receded or moved away from your teeth? Do you suffer from loose-feeling teeth or persistently bad breath?

These are all signs of gum disease.

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum line which can progress to affect the bones which surround and support your teeth. The three stages of gum disease are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Besides the danger that these infections pose for your periodontal health, gum disease has been linked to other serious health conditions, such as:

• Heart disease
• Endocarditis
• Stroke
• Systemic inflammation
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Respiratory disease

Bacteria associated with periodontitis can enter the bloodstream through bleeding gums and result in the increased likelihood or the worsening of the above conditions.

Recent studies have also linked poor oral hygiene to such life-threatening conditions as oral cancer, diabetes, and pancreatic cancer.

How can you prevent gum disease in Baton Rouge?

The best way to prevent gum disease is to consistently follow a dentist-approved oral care regimen every day. This includes flossing, brushing between meals, and seeing your dentist regularly. Don’t ignore dental problems. Whether it seems manageable—like persistently bad breath—or a more alarming symptom like bleeding gums, symptoms of dental problems show up as a way for your mouth to tell you that something needs to be corrected.

When your body tries to tell you something, it’s a good idea to listen. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned, or have any questions, please call us at The Smile Spa to set up an appointment.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]