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Periodontal Health Facts : Your Questions Answered

According to the AAP, of adults over the age of 35, 75% have a form of periodontal disease. What exactly is a periodontal disease? A bacterial gum infection that destroys the attachment fibers and the supporting bone that holds the teeth in the mouth. Dentists say that periodontal disease and dental cavities are the number 1 reason for tooth loss. The staff at Mount Olive Family Dentistry can identify potential problems and help patients incorporate a daily oral hygiene regimen of brushing and flossing that prevent chances of tooth decay, illnesses that may be linked to infections in the mouth, as well as tooth loss.

What the staff at Mount Olive Family Dentistry wants you to know about periodontal health:

Is the primary reason for toothbrushing to remove food debris?

No. Daily brushing and flossing will also keep the formation of plaque to a minimum. If plaque isn’t removed every 26 hours, it will irritate gums, which can lead to periodontal disease.

Are bleeding gums are normal?

No. Bleeding gums are one of the 8 signs of gum disease. You can compare your gum tissue to the skin on your hands. If you washed your hands and they bled every time you washed, you would know something is wrong.

Does oral health doesn’t affect overall health?

Yes. When your gums are infected, periodontal bacterial byproducts can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and set off other problems. Much research suggests this may contribute to the development of heard disease, could also increase the risk of stroke, and could pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory diseases or osteoporosis.

Is bad breath is caused by a lack of oral hygiene?

No. Great oral hygiene doesn’t necessarily relieve bad breath. There are certain kinds of bacteria in the mouth that produce volatile sulfur compounds. If these sulfur compounds accumulate enough, the result can be clinical bad breath. When you brush your teeth and floss, go ahead and brush your tongue (where the sulfur resides) as well which will help eliminate bad breath.

Are cavities are the number one cause of tooth loss?

Together, periodontal disease and cavities are the primary cause of tooth loss.

For more information regarding Mount Olive Family Dentistry’s services,  or to schedule and appointment, call the Mount Olive dental office at (919) 658-9511.

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