Now that springtime is just getting started, it’s a great time to begin throwing out all of that clutter that’s accumulated over the past year. As you are tidying up your living space, it’s also a good idea to consider all the different ways you can freshen up your smile. After all – the weather will be warming up soon, so you especially don’t want to be dealing with a dental emergency. Here are some spring cleaning tips to benefit your smile.

Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Though this gum infection is generally easy to prevent with proper brushing and flossing, one in seven adults between the ages of 35 and 44 have some form of it. Read on to learn about seven gum disease risk factors that raise your chances of developing this condition.