Gum disease is no joke. When the bacteria that cause your teeth to form cavities get into your gums, it can seriously damage your oral health and spread beyond. Gum disease has been linked with several other health conditions that affect your body, not just your mouth.

If you want to learn more about gum disease and the effects it can have on your body, continue reading. You’ll be surprised by these six facts about gum disease.

All you need for a bright white smile is a teeth whitening treatment. This will take years of stains off of the surface of your teeth and make them pearlescent once again. However, If you seek good oral health, any dentist can tell you it’s far more complicated than simply whitening your teeth.

There are four measures of oral health you’ll need to consider in determining that. Continue reading to learn why white teeth aren’t always healthy and how to gauge your oral health.