daily brushing & flossing

Bacteria in your mouth feed on starchy foods, such as crackers, chips and bread, as well as sugary foods, such as soft drinks, candy and dried fruit. When the bacteria in your mouth feed on these foods, they produce an acid film in your mouth called plaque. The plaque causes inflammation in your gums, resulting in gum disease. The plaque also attacks the enamel on your teeth, resulting in tooth decay (cavities).

Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults over age 30, and most adults experience some form of gum disease during their lifetime. Gums disease is insidious, because it’s usually painless until it becomes very serious.

Eventually the gum disease spreads to the underlying jawbone, causing the teeth to loosen and dislodge. Other important factors that affect your gums include smoking, diabetes, grinding your teeth, certain medications, poor nutrition and stress.