Protect your gums from disease with good oral hygiene and healthy habits.
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy doesn’t have to be a challenge. Keeping up with good brushing and flossing habits can go a long way to reducing plaque and tartar buildup. Of course, if you don’t visit the dentist as often as you should, or if you find that your sweet tooth gets out of control, then you may end up noticing changes in your gums. You should visit our Berkley, MI, dentist Dr. Julie Forte if you notice any of these three warning signs of gum disease.
Swollen Gums
Healthy gums will appear pink and firm; therefore, if you notice that your gums are a bit puffy and red this could be a sign of bacteria under the gumline that could be leading to inflammation or swelling. By brushing more meticulously and flossing daily without fail you may be able to get rid of the bacteria; however, if you don’t see a difference in the health or appearance of your gums after 1-2 weeks of very diligent and thorough at-home care then it’s time to turn to our Berkley, MI, family dentist.
Bleeding Gums
Are you noticing some blood in the sink lately when you rinse? Bleeding gums that occur after brushing or flossing could be a sign of gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. While gingivitis is a milder form of the disease, if you don’t properly care for your gums this can progress into full-blown periodontitis. Be more thorough when it comes to brushing and flossing your teeth and you should notice that the bleeding goes away after a couple of days. If it doesn’t, it’s time to see your dentist.
Receding Gums
Unfortunately most people don’t notice the very subtle changes associated with gum disease until the disease has progressed enough to alter the shape and appearance of their gums or has caused other dental problems. If you have suddenly noticed that your teeth look a little longer than they usually do this could be a sign that your gums are receding. Gum recession is a telltale sign of gum disease. Don’t ignore this problem! Untreated gum disease can eventually lead to tooth loss.
Are you looking for a dentist in Berkley, MI, that can provide your whole family with routine cleanings and checkups and prevent decay and gum disease from happening to you? If so, call Forte Family Dentistry today at (248) 546-2030 to schedule your next six-month cleaning.