Like many diseases that form in our bodies, gum disease begins silently and without obvious symptoms. When symptoms do emerge, it often means that the disease is well underway. Some symptoms may not appear until at an advanced stage. However, any warning signs of gum disease should prompt you to seek immediate treatment. Gum disease will only worsen, and eventually result in tooth loss without treatment.

Signs of periodontal disease include:
Red, swollen or tender gums
Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or when chewing rigorously
Sores in your mouth
Persistent bad breath
Receded gums that reveal darker areas of teeth or that cause teeth to look longer
Loose or separating teeth
Pus between your gums and teeth
A change in your bite when teeth are together
A change in how partial dentures fit

The web site of the American Academy of Periodontology offers an online risk assessment test. This will help you gauge your at-risk level for having or developing gum disease. Visit: www.perio.org to take the test or call our office at (828) 274-9440 to schedule a consultation and exam.

Remember, periodontal disease is the nation’s leading cause of tooth loss. Act now to avoid further damage to your smile.

The American Dental Association (ADA) reported results of a national survey that revealed the smile outranks eyes, hair and body as the most attractive physical feature. However, the survey also revealed that men and women differ when it comes to the care of their teeth and gums. The survey of Americans ages 18 and older found 86% of females brush their teeth twice or more a day compared to only 66% of males.

Sadly, all Americans need to do a better job of flossing teeth. Just half of those surveyed (49%) say they floss daily. And, 1 out of 3 surveyed think that blood in the sink after brushing is normal and were unaware this is a sign of periodontal (gum) disease.

Oral health is an important part of overall health, for men just as much as for women. Regular dental check-ups are important, not only to treat gum disease and cavities, but because some diseases or medical conditions, such as oral cancer, have symptoms that can appear in the mouth.

If you haven’t seen a dentist in over a year (whether you’re male or female!), call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation and discuss treatment to restore your mouth to a healthy state.

For fresh breath, the only dependable method is brushing, flossing and using a tongue scraper in a committed routine of oral hygiene at home. However, I occasionally hear of holistic remedies that are at times surprising and at other times just downright unbelievable! I though I’d share a few with you:

• Chew a whole clove or several anise seeds for fresher breath.

• To have fresher breath in the morning, dissolve a small piece of myrrh in your mouth at bedtime. Myrrh acts as an oral antiseptic, helping to fend off bacteria during the night.

• To rid your breath of onion or garlic smells, sprinkle kosher salt on half of a lemon and suck the juice for several minutes. (I don’t recommend this one AT ALL since a lemon’s citric acid can erode tooth enamel!)

• Eating an apple will eliminate “coffee breath.”

While these are fun to read, I only advise the tried-&-true methods for fresh breath: Brush at least twice daily, floss daily, use a tongue scraper, drink plenty of water, minimize sugar and alcohol, and have dental check-ups and cleanings every six months.

Of course, this works for mouths that are healthy. If your breath has an odor regardless of these efforts, you may have gum disease, which can only be resolved through soft tissue therapy. Early signs also include bleeding when you brush or gum tenderness. Call us soon — gum disease will only worsen without treatment!