Protect your Smile – Love your Gums
Studies show smiles can make us more attractive, lower our stress levels, elevate our moods, and make us look younger. Therefore, it’s important to be well and keep our teeth and gums smile-ready.
Unfortunately, many of us don’t. Nearly 50 percent of U.S. adults age 30 and older have periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease. In adults 65 and older, that number spikes to 65 percent.
Periodontal disease is not a disease that’s regularly discussed, despite the fact it’s 2.5 times more prevalent than diabetes. And, a 2015 survey from the AAP showed that 27 percent of U.S. adults lie to their dentists about how often they floss their teeth, with 15 percent saying they’d rather wash dirty dishes than floss. The survey also found that a third of American adults say a smile is the first thing they notice when meeting someone.
There are two types of periodontal disease: gingivitis, the mildest form, and periodontitis, which is advanced gum disease.
Symptoms of periodontal disease include red and swollen gums, receding gums, bleeding when flossing, loose teeth, and persistent bad breath.
Research has linked gum disease with several other diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.
Gum disease can lead to social anxiety and discomfort from loss of teeth and bad breath.
Brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and receiving an annual comprehensive oral examination will help keep your gums—and your smile—spectacular. There are also non-surgical therapies or more advanced procedures, such as dental implant placement, available if needed.
Because spectacular smiles start with healthy gums, and the gums you have are yours for life, it’s crucial that you Love The Gums You’re With.
TOP TIPS FOR HEALTHY GUM
1. Brush twice a day (morning and night) and floss at bedtime. Both activities are critical. The sequence doesn’t matter, as long as you do a thorough job.
2. Visit a dentist twice a year or more regularly if required.
3. Know the early warning signs. Symptoms of periodontal disease include swollen gums, bleeding while brushing or flossing, receding gums, loose teeth, pus between the gums and teeth, mouth sores and persistent bad breath. If you have one or more of these symptoms, make an appointment to see a Dr S Kholvadia immediately.
4. Check out kemptonsmile.co.za. This fun, educational blog will help you learn more about gum disease. You can also watch videos and more.
Its never to late to protect your smile and love your gums, we recommend starting with a visit to your dentist for a comprehensive oral examination and cleaning. A healthy smile may just prevent further you from other diseases. Visit Kempton Smile, a renowned Dental Practice based in Kempton Park for more than 12 years now , to kick start you oral health journey.
Dr S Kholvadia is a healthcare practitioner, specialising as a Dentist, in Kempton Park. Kempton Smile is a family and cosmetic dental practice operating at Kempton Square next to Pick ‘n Pay, at Kempton Park.
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