Signs Your Oral Health Isn't As Great As You Think It Is

Brushing and flossing provide the foundation of oral health. Without them, tooth decay and gum disease have an easy time taking hold and your oral health suffers. However, even with a thorough home care regimen, your oral health could be in decline without regular cleanings and exams with your dentist. 

While brushing and flossing remove the bulk of food debris and plaque, the spaces between teeth and below the gumline don’t always get enough attention. When plaque turns into hard tartar, your brush is no match. Gum disease may be starting even if your teeth feel clean. 

At RR Dentistry in Georgetown, Texas, we know how important home care is, and we provide the additional cleaning you need twice a year to stay ahead in the oral health game. Dental exams can identify more than just tooth and gum issues. Almost 90% of all diseases create observable symptoms in your mouth, underscoring the importance of your six-month dental visits. 

Signs that your oral health isn’t so great

Your mouth is the major pathway into your body. Along with the essential nutrients you take in the form of food and drink, a host of good and bad bacteria also live in your mouth. Food debris and saliva provide a welcoming environment for the bacteria that infect and inflame tissue in your mouth, causing periodontal disease, the condition that causes gingivitis and periodontitis, more commonly known as gum disease. 

While brushing and flossing target plaque, the sticky substance formed by bacteria, food, and saliva, they don’t eliminate all traces. Plaque tends to build up in hidden spots where it can grow and harden into tartar. Tartar can push deeper below the gum line, spreading periodontal disease to tooth roots and bone tissue. 

However, there are signs that gingivitis, the mildest form of periodontal disease, is starting to take hold. Common warning signs that indicate your oral health is failing include: 

• Persistent bad breath
• Red, puffy gums
• Gums that bleed easily during brushing and flossing
• Gums that recede or pull away from your teeth
• Tenderness or pain while chewing
• Persistent dull aching around your mouth
• Loose or sensitive teeth
• Changes to the alignment of your bite

Report any of these changes to your dentist or dental hygienist when you visit RR Dentistry. 

Gum disease risk factors

Certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing gum disease. Maintaining a regular schedule of dental exams becomes more important if you have one or more of these risk factors: 

• Crooked teeth
• Diabetes
• Erratic home oral care habits
• Family history of gum disease
• Dry mouth
• Hormone changes, including the use of oral contraceptives or pregnancy
• Immune system deficiencies
• Smoking or other tobacco use

If you have warning signs of gum disease showing up between visits to the dentist, you may need more detailed or frequent professional dental care until the risk of gum disease subsides. 

To schedule your next dental exam with RR Dentistry, you can call our office or book your appointment online using the link on this page. Gum disease won’t wait for you, so arrange your visit today.