Investing in the health of your gums will go a long way in maintaining a healthy smile.

Approximately half of American adults are dealing with some form of gum disease, and many of them don’t even know it. Along with causing bleeding, inflamed and receding gums, gum disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss in adults. Luckily, gum disease is preventable and our Bethesda, MD, dentist Dr. John Kelly is here to provide you with valuable tips on how to keep your gums healthy.

Brush and Floss

The two most important things you can do for your smile day in and day out is to brush and floss. You should brush once in the morning and then again at night right before bedtime. While brushing is the best way to remove plaque buildup from teeth and gums, don’t forget that flossing is the only way to thoroughly remove food and plaque from between teeth and the gum line, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Floss once a day, preferably at night, to prevent plaque from hardening into tartar.

Quit Smoking

Did you know that smoking is one of the most common causes of severe periodontal disease in the US? In fact, the CDC reports that smokers are twice as likely to develop gum disease as nonsmokers. The longer you smoke and how much you smoke will also increase your risk. If you want to prevent gum disease then it’s time to quit smoking for good.

Visit the Dentist Regularly

No matter if you are at risk for gum disease or not, it’s important that everyone from children to older adults come in twice a year for routine cleanings and checkups. Since gum disease often doesn’t cause symptoms, you may not even know you have it; however, we can screen for and detect gum disease during your next cleaning.

As you might imagine, the sooner we detect gum disease the better. In fact, gum disease in its earliest stages can actually be reversed. Treating gum disease early on is truly the best way to prevent complications such as tooth loss.

Know the Warning Signs

It’s time to visit your Bethesda, MD, family dentist as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Bleeding gums
• Swollen or inflamed gums
• Receding gums (teeth will appear longer)
• Persistent bad breath
• Sensitivity in the gums
• An abscess (a pimple-like growth)

Are you dealing with bleeding gums or other symptoms of gum disease? If so, it’s important that you turn to Bethesda, MD, dentist Dr. Kelly that can diagnose the issue and treat the problem right away. Call Bethesda Row Dental to schedule an appointment with us, and protect the health of your gums.