6 Myths About Gum Disease That Should Be Addressed Asap

By Author: Monica Quinn
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Gum disease is a condition that occurs when the number of bacteria in your mouth increases dramatically. This bacterial overgrowth irritates the gums and leads to the development of infection. It is important to understand that gum disease is a serious condition.

In some cases, it can cause severe complications like tooth loss. Unfortunately, many people don't realize that because there are a lot of myths and misconceptions about this condition. Here is a list of six myths about gum disease that should be addressed ASAP.

1. Gum disease is rare
There is a common misconception that gum disease is quite rare and affects only the elderly or smokers. However, even though aging and smoking can be considered risk factors for gum disease, this condition can actually affect everyone.

This is because gum disease occurs because of bacteria overgrowth, and many people don't maintain proper oral hygiene. When you don't brush and floss your teeth properly, you let the bacteria in your mouth thrive. That's why both children and adults may be prone to gum disease.

2. Gum disease always causes severe symptoms
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... Indeed, advanced gum disease can manifest through severe gum bleeding, bad breath, gum pockets, pus between the teeth, loose teeth, and tooth loss. But it may be quite difficult to detect gum disease in its early stage called gingivitis.

In most cases, gingivitis causes mild gum bleeding that occurs during tooth brushing, bad breath, as well as gum redness and swelling. Unfortunately, many people don't consider these symptoms alarming, so they tend to neglect their condition.

3. Foods and drinks don't impact gum disease
It is important to understand that the foods and drinks you consume daily can have a great impact on the condition of your oral cavity. For example, if you consume a lot of sweet and starchy foods, they feed the bacteria in your mouth. As a result, these bacteria start to multiply actively and infect your gums.

Maintaining a healthy diet is an essential part of the prevention and treatment of gum disease. Crunchy fruits and vegetables help remove the bacteria from your mouth and massage gums, while fatty fish contains omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce inflammation.

4. Gum disease doesn't require any treatment
While early gingivitis can be reversed with the help of a healthy diet, proper oral hygiene, and antimicrobial therapy, periodontitis (an advanced stage of gum disease) requires immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, there is no cure for periodontitis, but timely treatment can help prevent tooth and bone loss. So if you have noticed any signs of gum disease, it is essential to make an appointment with a periodontist to evaluate your condition and undergo proper treatment.

5. Poor oral hygiene is the only risk factor for gum disease
Even though poor oral hygiene is deemed the most common cause of gum disease, there are certain risk factors that can increase your risk of this condition. Two of them (aging and smoking) are already mentioned above. Other risk factors for gum disease include:
- Heredity
- Diabetes
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Poor nutrition
- Teeth grinding
- Vitamin C deficiency
- Stress
- Certain medications
- Obesity

If you are prone to gum disease, it is extremely important to pay sufficient attention to your oral cavity and visit a dentist on a regular basis.

6. Gum disease can't be prevented
Since the cause and risk factors for gum disease are already clear, you can take certain steps that can help you avoid this condition. Firstly, you need to brush your teeth twice a day and use dental floss daily. Secondly, you should maintain a healthy diet and stay at a healthy weight. Thirdly, you need to get rid of bad habits like smoking and teeth grinding. Lastly, you should visit a dentist twice a year for an examination and dental cleaning.

Greetings, my name is Monica. I graduated from New York Medical College and work as a nurse in Queens Hospital at the moment. The thing I love the most is morning jogging, because it is a wonderful way to keep myself in tonus. I like to communicate with people who care about their health. I became a vegetarian five years ago. Now my daily menu consists mainly of vegetables, fruits and different cheeses. I am a member of water polo team and I love gardening. I like to see how huge flowers grow out of the tiny petal, it dazzles me because I love spending my time outdoors. My goal is to visit all the USA parks, and then all over the world)