Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. It has been estimated that nearly three out of four adults suffer from some form of gum disease, and of that only about 3 percent seek treatment. Gum disease may seem like a small thing, or you may feel like it’ll go away on its own, but if left untreated, you may be increasing your risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancers, or the need for more invasive dental treatments. At our office, Manhattan Periodontal Associates, we specialize in periodontics and dental implants in New York, and we want to make sure you don’t fall victim to the common myths of gum disease.

Myth #1- Bleeding when brushing and flossing is normal, and not a big deal.

Bleeding gums are NOT normal. Bleeding, red or swollen gums are a good sign of gum disease. If not treated properly, gum disease has been linked to tooth loss, heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, including breast cancer and pancreatic cancer. For these reasons, it’s important that gum disease is treated as soon as possible. If your gums bleed when you brush, floss or eat certain foods, it’s best to schedule an appointment with a periodontist to be tested for periodontal disease.

Myth #2- The only way to get gum disease is if you have poor oral hygiene.

Of course, not taking care of your teeth can lead to the development of gum disease, but there are other contributing factors that may lead to its progression as well. Stress or poor diet has been shown to play a role in gum disease. So has genetics. Smoking or tobacco use in general has also proven to significantly increase your risk of gum disease.

Myth #3- Brushing and flossing more will cure gum disease on its own.

Sometimes brushing and flossing just isn’t enough. Professional treatments and cleaning are the only way to be sure that your gum disease is being treated properly. If left untreated, periodontal disease can cause permanent damage to bone structure or cause tooth loss.

Myth #4- If a tooth is lost to gum disease, there is no way to replace it.

With early treatment, the chances of losing one or more teeth to gum disease is greatly lower than if it is left untreated. However, if gum disease has progressed to the point of tooth loss, it is reassuring to know that there are restorative dental options for tooth replacement. Dr. Toscano and his team are highly trained when it comes to replacing teeth using dental implants in New York.

If you have further questions about gum disease or dental implants in New York, we would love to hear from you. Contact Manhattan Periodontal Associates today!