If you pay attention to oral hygiene, you’ve likely heard of gum disease. Namely, you know it’s an infection that damages the pink tissue around your teeth. However, were you aware of the myths surrounding this condition? Indeed, some people spread false rumors about it and thus make it harder to treat. To ensure this gossip doesn’t fool you, your dentist is here to help. Read on, then, to learn four gum disease myths and why they aren’t true.
“No Cavities Means No Gum Disease”
It can be tempting to gauge oral health by whether one has cavities. Consequently, dental patients might assume they don’t suffer from gum disease since their teeth are cavity-free. That said, this assumption is faulty.
You see, lacking achy cavities doesn’t mean you lack gum disease. The latter is often painless, so sufferers may not know they have it. A better way to assess for it is to see if you have bleeding or swollen gums. If you do, chances are you have gingivitis — the earliest stage of gum disease.
“Gum Disease is Rare”
One popular idea about gum disease is that it’s rare. In this view, only those with truly poor dental care or oral hygiene would ever contract it. Everyone else, though, is basically in the clear.
Unfortunately, the truth is that gum disease is all too common. CDC research even shows that roughly half of Americans aged 30+ have it. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization reports that severe forms are found in a tenth of the global population.
Still, there’s good news: when detected early, gum disease is preventable with good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.
“Gum Disease Always Causes Tooth Loss”
Since gum disease causes gums to recede, a few persons conclude that it always triggers tooth loss. Thankfully, that isn’t the case.
If you practice solid oral care, you don’t have to lose any teeth to gum disease. In other words, you’ll be fine so long as you brush twice daily, floss once daily, and eat healthy foods. Plus, you can count on your dentist to design a treatment plan to control your infection.
“Diabetes Makes Gum Disease Inevitable”
Many know that diabetes can affect your immune system and raise your infection risk. For that reason, one myth states this illness makes gum disease inevitable.
In reality, diabetes doesn’t necessarily cause a gum infection. While the former can make the latter harder to handle, it’s not proven to trigger periodontitis. Plus, people with diabetes control their blood sugar quite well now. As a result, they can take the same perfect care of their smile as non-diabetics.
As you can see, today’s oral health “facts” mix truth with lies. Therefore, remember the gum disease myths above so you can get the right information!
About the Author
Dr. Gary C. Nawrocki is a dentist based in Cocoa Beach, FL, having earned his DMD from the University of Florida. He’s also a past president of the University of Florida Dental Alumni Association, as well as a member of the American Dental Association. Given this background, he specializes in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, including periodontal therapy. Dr. Nawrocki currently practices at Nawrocki Dental and is reachable on his website and by phone at (321)-783-7514.