Which of the following is the most likely to cause you to lose your teeth?

□ Tooth decay

□ Injuries or accidents

□ Gum disease

Many people are not aware that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Experts estimate that between 70 and 80 percent of the population has some form of gum disease, which makes this an ongoing oral health epidemic.

We want you to keep your smile, which is why we want you to take steps to keep your gums as healthy as they can be. The team at our dentist offices are here to help our patients in and around Laredo, TX.

We have two Davenport Dental Group locations where we will be happy to help you prevent or treat your periodontal problems. To make an appointment, contact the office closest to you. The number for our Junction Drive location is 956-242-6745, or you can reach our Winfield office at 956-517-2695.

Preventive Care Is Your Best Option

You know what you need to do to keep your automobile running. You have to put fuel in it. You have to change the oil. And you have to do other maintenance, such as replacing worn out brakes, to keep the car running as long as possible.

Think about all the time and money you invest in a car or truck even though you know you will have to replace it someday.

Now think about your teeth. You use your teeth every single to eat. Your teeth affect how you speak, and your teeth are the “stars” of your smile. To keep your teeth, you need to do maintenance for them as well.

By comparison, the cost of toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss is much lower than the cost of caring for your vehicle. And the time you need to invest in “smile maintenance” is about five minutes each day and a couple visits to Davenport Dental Group for dental cleanings each year.

Ignoring your gums would be like ignoring your tires. How long do you think your car would last with worn out tires? How long do you think your smile will last with unhealthy gums?

How To Care For Your Gums

Let’s start with the basic recommendations for daily oral hygiene from the American Dental Association. Doing these things will help you to remove bacteria and plaque, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.

► Brush your teeth every day

To be more specific, you should brush twice a day for two minutes each time. This allows you to scrub your teeth on all sides and to brush your tongue when you are finished.

Be sure to use toothpaste with fluoride and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Be aware that brushing too hard or using hard bristles can actually damage your teeth and gums.

► Floss* your teeth daily

The reason for the * is we are using “flossing” as shorthand for cleaning between your teeth and gums. Whether you use dental floss or another interdental cleaner, it’s important that you do this every day.

Your toothbrush can do a lot, but it’s not the best tool for cleaning spaces between your teeth or the area between your teeth and gums. Using floss, flossers, water flossers, or another interdental cleaner how you remove bacteria, plaque, and food particles from those spaces.

► Get professional dental cleanings and exams

No matter how well you brush and floss, you may miss something. To keep your mouth its healthiest, have a couple of professional cleanings each year.

During your visits, we also will be conducting oral exams. This gives us a better chance of catching gum disease or other dental problems in the early stages.

Treating Gum Disease

As we noted above, treating gum disease is easier when you attack it in its early stages. Please contact us if you notice one or more of these symptoms:

▪ Bleeding gums

▪ Sore, tender gums

▪ Swollen gums

▪ Persistent bad breath

▪ Receding gums

▪ Loose teeth

Often we can stop and remove gum infections with a deep cleaning procedure called scaling and root planing. For more advanced cases, we may refer you to a periodontist, who specializes in gum health.

Make An Appointment Today

Whether you need a gum disease treatment or you want to prevent periodontal problems, you have a reason to make an appointment at one of our dentist offices in the Laredo area.

Again, you can call our Junction Drive office at 956-242-6745 or our Winfield location at 956-517-2695.