Gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss among adults. One of the major risks associated with gum disease is that most people do not know they have it until it is too late.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, occurs due to bacterial growths in a person’s mouth. If not properly treated, it can lead to tooth loss. Gum inflammation and plaque buildup which occur due to gingivitis and are what commonly lead to gum disease. This results in bleeding, inflammation, and irritation.

Gum disease infects the tissues surrounding a person’s teeth and is caused by the plaque that forms on teeth. Plaque is the film that builds up on a person’s teeth. It contains millions of bacteria. Without regular brushing and flossing, this bacteria can cause tooth decay as well as gum disease.

What Are the Warning Signs of Gum Disease?

There are many different warning signs of gum disease. These warning signs include:

• Swollen or red gums
• Bleeding when brushing or flossing
• Receding gums
• Mouth sores
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Pus in between teeth and gums

What Are the Stages of Gum Disease?

The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis, which is characterized by red, swollen and inflamed gums. If spotted early on, gingivitis can be reversed. Patients who experience the early stages of gingivitis can visit a dentist for a professional cleaning to remove the plaque buildup causing the gingivitis.

If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis. This serious gum infection damages the inner layers of a person’s gums and bone. When this occurs, a person’s gums and bones begin to recede away from the teeth, creating small spaces in between the teeth. These small spaces can become infected with bacteria as plaque and food spread below the gums. Periodontitis can be treated with improved oral hygiene as well as dental treatment.

The final stage of gum disease is advanced periodontitis. During the final stage, the fibers and bones which support a person’s teeth begin to become destroyed. This can lead to loose teeth and can possibly even affect a person’s bite. Without aggressive treatment, a patient’s teeth may have to be removed. Advanced periodontitis is the most destructive stage of gum disease.

The Importance of a Good Oral Hygiene Routine

It is possible to develop gum disease without displaying any warning signs. This is why it is important to visit your dentist at least every six months to examine your teeth. This way, if you are displaying the beginning stages of gum disease, your dentist can help treat it while it’s still reversible. It is absolutely crucial to also have a good at-home oral hygiene routine which can prevent plaque from building and prevent gingivitis from developing into gum disease. This includes brushing twice daily, flossing at least once a day, and eliminating the overconsumption of sugar-laden foods or drinks.

When we don’t floss, we put ourselves at risk for major dental issues and problems. These dental issues include gingivitis, cavities, and gum disease. But how does flossing prevent these oral health issues?

Flossing removes plaque from our teeth that can cause tooth decay or gum disease. When we don’t floss, the plaque on our teeth builds up. Believe it or not, there are over 1,000 types of bacteria that are found in plaque. When this plaque builds up, the bacteria can irritate gum tissue, causing it to become inflamed. This results in bleeding when brushing or flossing, which makes space for even more bacteria to breed and cause gingivitis. Because regular flossing removes plaque and helps prevent the buildup of plaque, it reduces the risk of cavities and gingivitis developing which can occur as a result of plaque buildup. 

The fact is, a toothbrush simply can’t reach all the tight spots in between our teeth to remove plaque buildup and leftover food. This is why it is essential for people to get to those hard-to-reach areas using dental floss.

A poor oral health care routine which does not involve flossing can also lead to gingivitis. When left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal disease. Bacteria from periodontal disease can enter a person’s bloodstream and travel to their heart or even their respiratory tract. By practicing good oral hygiene which includes brushing and flossing, you can reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease and other side effects of periodontal disease.

What Should My Oral Hygiene Routine Consist Of?

Plaque buildup, when ignored, results in bacteria growth which can destroy the enamel which is found in between our teeth. Which causes cavities and tooth decay. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice every day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and antimicrobial toothpaste to remove plaque. In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day, you should also floss at least once every day. Dentists recommend flossing with waxed floss right before you go to bed.

In addition to maintaining a good oral hygiene routine every day, you should also visit your dentist at least once every six months. Regular dental appointments are extremely important because they keep your teeth and your gums healthy. Regular appointments also they allow dentists to examine your overall oral health, remove plaque buildup, and catch issues early on before they turn into bigger problems. Regular dental visits can prevent tooth decay and gum disease while also improving your smile, saving you from potentially costly issues and oral health problems down the road.

Manual toothbrushes are effective and should be used in a good oral hygiene routine. Electric toothbrushes are considered good alternatives to manual toothbrushes for patients with arthritis or other conditions which can make brushing their teeth difficult. Not only are electric toothbrushes easier to use, but electric toothbrushes can also provide superior brushing action which helps to remove plaque much better than manual toothbrushes.

Electric toothbrushes do the cleaning for you. They also have all sorts of different features that make it convenient and easy to use. Some of these features include:

• Superior plaque removal
• Pressure sensors
• Digital reminders to remove brush head
• Various brushing modes
• Timers
• Compatibility with multiple different brush heads
• Oscillating/rotating or sonic technology
• Adjustable power levels
• Rechargeable batteries
• Bluetooth compatibility for smartphone apps

If you want to enhance your cleaning experience and get the most out of your oral health, we suggest investing in an electric toothbrush.

Benefits of the Electric Toothbrush

The electric toothbrush has oscillating/rotating/pulsating power and exceptional plaque removal. This superior toothbrush also comes in four different cleaning modes: deep cleaning, whitening, sensitivity, and tongue cleaning. The electric toothbrush also has pressure sensors which notify users if they are using too much pressure on their teeth while brushing. It even has a two-minute timer with a unique 30-second alert to remind you to switch quadrants. Some electric toothbrush models even have built-in Bluetooth connectivity, which provides users with real-time feedback on specific brushing habits. 

Electric toothbrushes deliver 48,800 movements per minute, as opposed to 300-600 movements per minute which manual toothbrushes deliver. With unique rotational oscillation that breaks up plaque and keeps teeth healthier, the electric toothbrush even removes 100 percent more plaque along the gum line than traditional manual brushes.

Whether you decide on a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, you should always make sure that you incorporate both brushing and flossing into your daily oral hygiene routine. You should also visit your dentist at least once every six months for regular cleanings and examinations. If you are looking for a unique brushing experience with several different features that can provide superior cleaning and a flawless smile, consider speaking to your dentist about an electric toothbrush today.