Healthy oral hygiene habits will help prevent serious oral diseases such as periodontal (gum) disease from forming.  Poor hygiene means lots of plaque, which has a million different kinds of bacteria. This bacterium can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

Poor and inadequate oral hygiene can cause great damage to your oral health. The damage can cause an increased amount of plaque and tartar to form within your mouth. This causes mild to moderate inflammation to your gums, known as gingivitis—the mildest form of gum disease.

Gum disease occurs when plaque toxins are released in your mouth. These harmful toxins inflame and infect soft gum tissue. The infection can be strong enough to settle deep into your gums to form pockets of bacteria between your gums and teeth. As gum disease progresses, the gum tissue and bone structure within your smile will begin to deteriorate causing eventual tooth loss in the future.

Gum Disease Statistics:

• Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. 70% of tooth loss is directly related to gum disease.

 

• An estimated 75 percent of Americans reportedly have some form of periodontal disease

 

• Most adults show signs of periodontal or gingival diseases. Severe periodontal disease affects approximately 14 percent of adults aged 45-54.

 

• Gingivitis is the most common form of periodontal disease, affecting 90% of the population.

 

Periodontal disease is both preventable and treatable. Although other risk factors such as smoking, genetics, medications, and lowered immunity can cause you to be more susceptible to gum disease. However, the most common cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene.  Oral hygiene greatly affects overall long-term health, and promotes more self-confidence. When it comes to dental care, prevention through daily cleaning and regular visits to the dentist's office is better not only for your health, but also for your financial health. That is why it is important for parents to play a key role in reinforcing smart oral hygiene habits. Children are much likely to follow in the footsteps of those who set positive examples and will carry those healthy habits through their own adult lives. No matter how old or young you are, it is never too late to take a serious stand in keeping your teeth healthy and your smile confident.

Remember that with daily brushing, flossing, rinsing, and regular professional cleanings from our Alpharetta GA dentist can greatly reduce your chances of developing gum disease and promote optimal oral health.