Most people see white, healthy teeth as an attractive feature.
Although a bright smile may be a help to your appearance, the more important fact is that a well cared for mouth is often, but no always, free of gingivitis, a form of gum disease.
Recognizing the early symptoms of gingivitis can be difficult.
It starts as a mild redness and swelling of the gums.
At this point, simply brushing and flossing more often may be the only course of action necessary.
However, if there are a lot of people who move on to more advanced stages.
If left untreated, you may next experience pain and bleeding of the gums when you brush or floss.
At this point you will want to schedule an appointment with you dentist for a thorough cleaning and advice about how to proceed.
If the condition is allowed to continue the gums will pull back from the teeth.
Not only is this unattractive, but it leaves more of the surface of your teeth exposed to plaque which may compound the problem.
At this point you have developed a problem.
This infection of the gingiva or gum tissue can lead to permanent damage to the teeth and bones of the mouth that support your teeth.
The way to avoid all of these problems is to develop and stick to a stringent oral hygiene routine.
This routine should include regular brushing and flossing, at least twice a day.
It is also important to see you dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings.
Understand that even the best preventive care may not be enough to save you from the onset of gum disease, particularly if you are simply relying on brushing and flossing alone.
Once this problem begins, diligent effort is required to prevent it from getting worse.
Next: Follow the links below to learn what you can do to defeat gum disease and prevent it from coming back.