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Did you know that nearly half of all American adults over the age of 30 have some form of gum disease? And most don’t even know it! Despite this large and disturbing percentage, gum disease is a highly preventable disease. In fact, if you have gingivitis–the early stage of gum disease–you can reverse the effects with proper oral care.

When hardened tartar is allowed to form around the gum line, it introduces a bacterial presence that irritates the tissues over time and results in gingivitis. The common causes of gingivitis are first and foremost poor dental hygiene, as well as added risk factors such as frequent tobacco use and the existence of some medical conditions.

You can recognize symptoms of gingivitis as inflamed or reddened gums, gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss, and chronic bad breath. The gum infection is still in an early stage at this point, which means it can be reversed with prompt dental attention and a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing.

To ward off the return of gum disease, you will need to make consistent improvements to your oral care routine, including brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing every crevice of your teeth. This includes between each tooth, the backs of the teeth, and along the gumline. When neglected, these locations can start to accumulate culprits of gum disease, namely food particles, plaque, and tartar.

To further protect your smile, you would do well to rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing and flossing your teeth. This additional step can remove any remaining food particles or bacteria to leave your smile fresh and healthy.

Please feel free to call 210-761-5452 today if you are concerned about the treatment and prevention of gingivitis in San Antonio, Texas. Our dentist, Dr. Jonathan E. Quillian, would be pleased to provide you with additional information and help you devise a treatment plan to keep your smile in excellent health.