Did you know that every time you go out for dinner no matter how fancy the restaurant with each bite of your food you take you are exposing your mouth to all kinds of bacteria? It’s an interesting thought that you most likely never thought about while enjoying fine cuisine in a fancy venue. As if consuming bacteria wasn’t bad enough it doesn’t stop there. This is because eventually these bacteria will in turn take a bit out of your gums and teeth, and in other words will lead to the development of gum disease.
Reports have shown that as much as three out of four adults 35 years old or older living in the United Kingdom have been or are currently affected by gum disease issues. Also, within the United States about 90% of those 40 years old or older are suffering from tooth decay and many of them lose all their teeth by age 60. By 2006, many children between ages 2 to 15 were reported as having cavity problems. This shows that it is not just the adults that are affected by gum disease.
A major cause of gum disease is directly related to the development and growth of bacteria within your mouth. Preventative measures that can be taken to help avoid gum disease include brushing once or twice daily and flossing regularly. Also, according to the United Kingdom approximately half of all gum diseases are caused by smoking or the use of tobacco. When considering a preventative measure not smoking or consuming tobacco would be a good preventative measure.
If you notice any symptoms of gum disease such as bleeding gums or changing in the color of your gums it’s best to reach out to a dentist right away. If you ignore these symptoms they will worsen. If this does occur potentially you could experience the painful process of receding gums, gaps between your teeth, weakened teeth, and worst of all the formation of pus. Maintaining a good oral health is important to prevent gum disease. This can be done by making regularly scheduled appointments with your dentist.
