When you smile, nobody wants to see red, swollen gums! However, that's what you will see in the mirror if you have been diagnosed with gum disease.

You can even end up losing your teeth if you have gingivitis or periodontitis. Both of these gum illnesses wreak havoc on the undergirding of your teeth. Because of getting one of these gum diseases, you'll likely have to deal with blood in your mouth or a painful jaw.

Gingivitis usually becomes periodontitis if it is not looked after. Sooner or later, the base of your gums becomes full of multiplying plaque. The bacteria begin to affect the gums and the body turns your mouth into a war zone. What happens next is that the tissues in your mouth break down and are destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth forming spaces between the teeth and gums that become infected.

In an attempt to take care of this, the Haddon Township gum disease dentist will scrub your tooth roots clean and take off all the accumulated plaque and ensure that your tooth roots don't have anymore bacteria hanging around.

But if you want to get rid of your gum problems for good, you will also have to do your part. You can start by picking up some dental floss after every meal. Starting with a waxed dental floss is best. Carry it in your pocket or purse so you can pull it right out if you are eating a meal out.

Brushing after flossing is a great habit to get into. It's best to plan on brushing for about two minutes — don't forget your gums! Work it back and forth and don't forget to brush your gums too. This is realy beneficial in getting rid of bacteria.

Then, get a waterpik and try that out. I recommend that you use a waterpik with a cannula — this will help you get fluid all over your gums and teeth. The fluid you should use includes warm water, some hydrogen peroxide and salt.

It's true that gum disease is a major problem, but a good dentist can help you get control of it. The degree of victory you gain over the disease, however, will be subject to a firm trust between a Haddon Township dentist and yourself.