Inflamed, sensitive gums are just one of the many reasons gum disease can be inconvenient. Fortunately, preventing and treating it in the early stages starts with simply separating what’s true and false about this serious oral health concern. Read on to learn five common gum disease myths in Canonsburg and why they’re not true.
Myth #1: Gum Disease Is Rare
Despite popular belief, gum disease isn’t rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently shared that roughly 50 percent of adults over age 30 struggle with some form of it. That’s why it’s so important to be on the lookout for common symptoms like red, inflamed, and bleeding gums. If one or more of these warning signs of gum disease do surface, then schedule an appointment with your dentist right away.
Myth #2: I’ll Lose My Teeth If I Get Gum Disease
It’s true: if left untreated, gum disease can progress and result in tooth loss. That’s not the case for every patient with gum disease though! When it’s caught in the early stages, the implementation of a solid oral hygiene routine can help restore your healthy gums. In other words, best practices like eating a well-balanced diet, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months will ensure you don’t lose any of your teeth.
Myth #3: Bleeding Gums Are Normal
Not so! Bleeding gums are often a symptom of a much larger issue, like gum disease. So, don’t ignore it. Instead, schedule an appointment with your dentist right away. The sooner you do, the sooner they’ll be able to pinpoint the root of the problem and put together a customized treatment plan.
Myth #4: Infected Gums Will Heal on Their Own
Patients often think that their dental problems will fade when given enough time. That’s not true though. Restoring your healthy gums requires treatment from a skilled dentist. Putting off treatment will simply allow the root of the problem to progress, negatively impacting your oral health in the process.
Myth #5: There’s Nothing I Can Do to Prevent Gum Disease
While genetics play a factor, gum disease is largely preventable. With this in mind, there is no time like the present to:
- Brush for a full two minutes each morning and evening
- Floss and rinse with mouthwash every day
- Get a dental checkup and cleaning biannually
- Quit unhealthy habits, like smoking
- Stick to mostly well-balanced, low-in-added-sugar meals
Now you are more informed about gum disease myths in Canonsburg. When you want to double-check if what you’ve heard about this common oral health concern is true, simply get in touch with your dental team.
About the Author
Dr. Raj Vekariya earned his dental doctorate from New York University, where he completed a certificate program in esthetic and comprehensive dentistry. Since he was a boy, Dr. Raj has always enjoyed going to the dentist and learning about the profession, so he set his career goal very early in life. If you are interested in preventing and treating gum disease, he offers scaling and root planing, as well as antibiotic therapy. Schedule an appointment on his website or call (724) 300-3700.