Do You Have Healthy Gums?
Have you been seeing a bit of blood in the sink when you brush your teeth? That bleeding can be one of the first warning signs of gum disease. When people think of keeping their teeth healthy, they sometimes neglect to consider the importance of gum health. The mild variety of deteriorating gum health is called gingivitis, which infects only your gums. If it is not treated, the infection can travel below the gumline and into your bone. Then, it becomes a more serious form of gum disease called periodontitis. In fact, both gingivitis and periodontitis can cause damage not just to your teeth and oral health, but also to your overall health by increasing your chances of major health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis.