Exposing Frequently Held Myths About Gum Disease

Gum disease can be a devastating problem for a person to develop, but it will often progress very slowly. This can cause patients to overlook the severity of this problem until serious damage has already occurred to their mouths. If you are suspecting that you might be suffering from gum disease, believing some of the common myths about this condition can prove to be a serious mistake to make. As a result, you should make it a point to understand the realities behind the following two widely held notions.

Myth: Bloody Gums Are The Only Symptom Of Gum Disease

Experiencing bleeding gums after brushing is one of the more common signs that a person is starting to suffer from this condition. However, it should be noted that there can be many other symptoms that might be alerting you to the need to seek treatment. Depending on the severity of the gum disease, it is possible for a patient to experience pus coming from around the teeth. Additionally, chronic bad breath and a foul taste in the mouth can also indicate that this condition is developing. In extreme cases of gum disease, it is possible for the teeth to have loosened, which will require immediate attention by a dentist to prevent the loss of many of your teeth.

Myth: Water Flossers Can Fully Replace Traditional Flossing

One of the best ways to help fight gum disease is through following very strict cleaning regimens. To this end, flossing plays a critical role, but it is a part of dental hygiene that many people may struggle to regularly do. As a result, it is common for individuals to opt for a water flosser for this aspect of cleaning their teeth. While these devices can do an excellent job of cleaning your teeth, they can not truly replace traditional flossing. It is possible for food particles to become wedged between teeth in areas that the water jet may not be able to reach. As a result, you should make it a point to regularly floss even if you supplement your brushing with a water flosser.

Failing to have gum disease treated can extract a terrible toll on your smile, but it is a fact that many people are not informed about this common condition. Making the mistake of putting faith in common myths can cause you to make poor decisions about treating this condition. Making sure that you appreciate the full range of symptoms that can be experienced by patients with this condition, as well as the fact that a water flosser can not fully replace traditional flossing, will help you to be an informed patient when you are fighting to save your smile from this condition. For more information, contact a professional such as David Jackson, DDS.