Your Walnut Creek area dentist can help you handle gum disease

When you brush and floss your teeth, there should be no signs of blood. Problems such as bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, as well as tooth sensitivity or general soreness in the mouth are also things that you should not regularly experience. For many people, such feelings are normal. They are also signs of early gum disease.

Gum disease is a condition that should be taken very seriously. Dr. Alkhoury is a Walnut Creek area dentist who encourages patients to visit regularly, which allows us to detect signs of gum disease and provide early treatment, when the condition is still reversible.

There are two stages of gum disease. The earliest is gingivitis, which we hear often on television commercials and from our dentists. The signs of gingivitis are mild, and can be difficult to detect without a watchful eye. As mentioned, bleeding during brushing and flossing is never normal, even if you are an aggressive brusher. Bad breath is also a sign of dental problems that should alert you to make an appointment with your experienced dentist.

Our teeth and gums are intimately connected, and each relies upon the other for prolonged, optimal health. The bond between teeth and gums should remain strong and unbroken. However, an enemy can come between the two - bacteria. We often assume that cavities are caused by sugar, but, bacteria creates dental problems. Sugar is only the source of nutrition for these harmful microorganisms, which leave behind toxic waste that weakens both teeth and gums.

Fighting gum disease is an important task that takes a team effort. Brushing twice a day and flossing every day, is crucial to eliminating harmful bacteria. Regularly assessing the appearance of gum tissue is also beneficial to early detection. If you notice that your gums appear red, are not smooth, feel sore, or bleed, we encourage you to contact our office for a professional examination. Treating gum disease early increases the likelihood of reversal. Leaving this condition to progress, as it will, can lead to not only the need for more aggressive treatment, but also chronic health conditions related to inflammation and bacterial invasion.

Gum disease is treated based on severity. Contact us for your early detection examination and enjoy prolonged health, free of gum disease.