We all know that we must brush and floss 2 times a day, but do you know what happens if it is not done regularly or correctly? The gums and bones that support our teeth start to get inflamed and infections can occur. When an infection takes over, it starts to erode the support system around our teeth and causes a lot of bleeding. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or even fall out. 

These are some of the warnings to watch out for: 

• Bad breath or bad taste that won’t go away
• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Gums that have pulled away from your teeth
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Any change in the fit of partial dentures

With poor dental hygiene, the bacteria in our mouth starts to build up and it gets much worse than any cavities.The bacteria multiplies and forms a hard substance on our teeth called plaque. If the plaque is not removed, it will stay on your teeth and slowly decay your teeth over time, as well as seep into the roots and cause a periodontal pocket (that will cause your teeth to feel loose). YIKES!!

Let’s all try to avoid periodontal disease and brush, brush, brush! If you have any concerns regarding periodontal disease, talk to your dentist about it. Everyone at Live & Smile is always happy and ready to help.