Since it’s Gum Disease Awareness Month, your friends at Bell & Bell Dentistry are taking this opportunity to shed light on this insidious oral health problem so you understand the signs, the risks, and the help that’s available so you can overcome it in Frankfort, KY!

The Signs Of Gum Disease

Gum disease is often called a silent killer because it can sneak up on you long before you notice any of the symptoms, which is why it’s so important to visit the dentist regularly.

We can spot the signs of periodontal infection in the earliest stages, but here are some symptoms you can watch for:

  • Bleeding, swollen, or tender gums
  • Inflamed or irritated gums
  • Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
  • Pain or difficulty when chewing
  • Bad breath despite brushing, mouthwash, etc.
  • Gums receding from your teeth
  • Pockets or sores on your gums
  • Loose or shifting teeth

If you notice any of these signs between your routine cleanings and exams, call us right away so we can take fast action to restore your gums!

The Health Dangers Of Gum Disease

When the bad bacteria in your mouth collects under or around your gumline, it creates inflammation known as gingivitis. This is the earliest stage of gum disease that is reversible when caught by your dentist at your routine dental appointments.

Without fast and early intervention, your jawbone can deteriorate under the attack of that bacteria and your body’s attempt at fighting it off.

This is why gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss. But the dangers continue, putting your overall health at risk for complications like:

  • Heart disease
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Respiratory infections
  • Cancer

Prevent Gum Disease With Routine Dental Care

With gum disease, and all other dental problems in fact, a proactive approach is best. Although we have the training and skills to treat periodontal infection, the aim should always be to prevent it. That starts with your daily commitment to brushing and flossing.

But it continues with your routine dental appointments at Bell & Bell Dentistry.

Your dental cleanings are essential in removing plaque from your teeth and keeping it from building up and hardening in your mouth because that’s what leads to infected gums.

If you do everything right and still develop gum disease, early detection is crucial because treating it right away gives us the chance to stop its progression and, in most cases, reverse it.

This will protect your teeth, oral health and function, and keep the infection from affecting the rest of your body.

Let Us Help You Fight Gum Disease!

You’re not alone in the fight against this sneaky, dangerous infection. Your Frankfort dentists, Drs. David and Joe Bell, are here to help you win with exceptional, comprehensive dental care for the sake of your smile and your health.

Call Bell & Bell Dentistry at 502-783-6322 or fill out our convenient online form to schedule your appointment in Frankfort, KY.