Your oral health will face many threats during your life, but one of the biggest threats is gum disease. Gum disease can cause a person to lose their teeth and even develop throat cancer. Gum disease has also been linked to heart disease. Gum disease may sound scary, but it’s also one of the most easily preventable diseases among adults in the nation.

Here is one simple thing you can do to help prevent gum disease: floss every day.

Gingivitis leads to gum disease. People with gingivitis have red and inflamed gums that bleed easily when they brush and floss. They also suffer from chronic bad breath.

By flossing in between the teeth and the gumline, you clean plaque and food particles, which prevents hard tartar from forming. Hard tartar is what eventually leads to gingivitis.

Be aware that there is more to flossing besides just moving the string between the teeth. Tie the string around your middle fingers, and then grip it with your thumb and forefinger. This will allow you to move the string in a U-shape around the tooth in order to floss properly and clean the area between the tooth as well as the gumline. Finish by flossing behind your back teeth.

For information about gum disease or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bob Johnson, call Horizon Dental Care at 970-245-3633 in Grand Junction, Colorado today.