816-444-8822 
It is important to take care of your gums if you want a healthy mouth. We normally talk about brushing and flossing for healthy teeth, but both of these habits assist in preventing gum disease as well.
Gum disease is caused by a buildup of plaque on teeth. Plaque is actually made of living bacteria, which combine into a sticky film. The bacteria not only eat away at teeth, but they can infect the gum tissue, resulting in gum disease.
There are many symptoms that could indicate gum disease. Some of these include:
–gums that have pulled away from the teeth
–any change in your bite pattern or the fit of dentures
–persistent bad breath
–permanent teeth that are loose or shifting position
–red, tender, swollen gums, or gums that bleed easily
To combat these symptoms and the underlying disease, it is vital that you brush your teeth and gums twice a day, for 2 minutes. Use a very soft-bristled toothbrush to protect your tooth enamel and gum tissues; medium or hard bristles can rip them up and cause a lot of damage. It is also important to floss! Flossing cleans the plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach–excellent breeding grounds for bacteria that cause gum disease.
For more information, call our office in Kansas City, Missouri, at 816-444-8822. Dr. Seth Rush and our team look forward to helping you toward total mouth health!