Hagerstown Smiles Dental Care - 3rd Quarter, 2022

PREVENTION IS KEY STAY ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SIGNS OF GUM DISEASE

In October, we celebrate National Dental Hygiene Month, a time set aside to encourage everyone to brush up (pun intended) on their oral health. One of the most common oral complications is periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 47.2% of adults 30 years of age and older suffer from some type or stage of gum disease. Some common causes of periodontal disease include poor dental hygiene, tobacco use, genetic predisposition, pregnancy and menopause, chronic stress, poor diet, diabetes, teeth grinding, and medications. Spotting gum disease can be easy if you know what to look for. Some of the most common signs include:

To treat gum disease, periodontists specialize in performing safe and effective cleaning procedures such as scaling and root planing. They can also prescribe antibiotics and antifungal medications to stop periodontal disease in its tracks or treat any infection. If any teeth are lost, a periodontist can perform tissue graft treatment to promote natural tissue regeneration and/or insert dental implants to replace the gaps and missing teeth. If the gums have badly receded, periodontists can recontour the gums to even out the appearance, too! To safeguard your oral health, preventing gum disease is crucial! If you notice any gum disease or have concerns, contact your trusted dentist immediately! And remember: Prevention is key! Be sure to brush twice a day for two minutes each time and floss daily! Take care of your teeth so they can take care of you!

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Persistent bad breath Swollen and red gums Tender or bleeding gums

Pain when chewing

Receding gums or longer- appearing teeth

Loose teeth

Happy National Dental Hygiene Month!

NO CAVITY CLUB:

ISAAC BEALL JAVAN BURKHOLDER JILLIAN AULDRIDGE PENELOPE GRUBER

PATIENT OF THE MONTH WINNERS:

Please join in welcoming Karlee and Jenna to our Assistant team.

JUNE – DAVID BIBB & JULY – JANICE BUTLER

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