Know More About Gum Disease

Knowledge is power; especially when it comes to preventing gum disease and other oral health issues. For instance, if you understand how gum disease develops, you can work to neutralize its instigators. If you know the warning signs that indicate gum disease’s development, then you can treat it early, before it has a chance to cause any irreparable damage. To help ensure that you know enough about gum disease to effectively prevent, detect, and treat it, we offer this short true or false gum disease quiz.

The True/False Gum Disease Quiz

1.) Gum disease is preventable, but incurable.

True—Excellent oral hygiene and regular professional maintenance can help prevent gum disease from forming by controlling bacterial dental plaque. Once gum disease is allowed to fully develop, maintaining your good oral health means managing the disease so that it doesn’t destroy your smile’s foundation.

2.) Bleeding gums can indicate gum disease, but they don’t always mean trouble.

False—Your oral tissues, including your gums, should never bleed. The bacterial infection that results in gum disease, called gingivitis, irritates and inflames your gums. which can cause them to bleed (usually when brushing your teeth). If you notice your gums bleeding, then visit your dentist as soon as possible.

3.) Gum disease is the number one cause of adult tooth loss.

True—You might think that tooth decay would cause the most tooth loss, considering it directly attacks your teeth. Gum disease, however, attacks your mouth’s ability to retain your teeth, and since it can often become severe before it’s detected and treated, tooth loss is a common result of advanced gum disease.