How to Prevent Gum Disease
Introduction
Gum disease is a common dental disease that affects the gums and teeth. It can lead to serious problems such as tooth loss, infection, abscesses, and even cancer. You may not have any symptoms when you first develop gum disease, but eventually your mouth will become swollen and painful. Read on to learn more about how to prevent gum disease.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common bacterial infection that affects the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. It is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums.
Gum disease can range from mild gingivitis to more severe periodontitis. Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease and is characterized by red, swollen gums that bleed easily. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which is a more serious form of gum disease that can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth and form pockets. These pockets can become infected and cause damage to the bone and other tissues that support the teeth, leading to tooth loss.
Here’s what you should be doing to prevent it.
Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time.
You should brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time with a fluoride toothpaste. The first time, brush in small circular motions, starting at the outside edges of your mouth and moving inward toward the center until you’ve reached all areas of your mouth. Then move on to the second brushing session.
We recommend brushing the front of your teeth, not just the back. Brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and using only enough pressure to clean around each tooth will help prevent gum disease and cavities. Don’t forget to floss!
If you have braces or other dental work done on top of regular orthodontic surgery, make sure that it’s properly aligned by an experienced dentist before starting any new habits involving brushing!
Floss Regularly
Floss once per day to remove plaque from between teeth and between them, as well as below their gum line (between tongue and gums) where food can get stuck if left untouched—this prevents bad breath too! It’s important not only because there’s no way around eating something with bacteria but also because it prevents gum disease from developing over time.
Use mouthwash.
Mouthwash is an effective way to freshen your breath. It helps kill bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth decay, as well as keep your mouth feeling clean.
Rinse out your mouth after every meal
After every meal (especially breakfast), rinse out your mouth with water until it’s clean enough. This will help freshen up breath too since most people don’t brush after eating like they should.
Don’t smoke.
Smoking is a risk factor for gum disease. Smokers are more likely to have gum disease, and smoking can lead to gum disease. Staying away from smoking can help prevent or reduce the inflammation in your gums.
When you eat, chew foods thoroughly, especially hard candy and gum.
When you eat, chew foods thoroughly, especially hard candy and gum. Also limit the intake of sticky, sugar rich foods like candy or sweets because they stick to the teeth and cause plaque to build up.
Get regular check-ups at the dentist’s office.
If you want to prevent gum disease, the best thing you can do is visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will be able to check your teeth and gums for signs of problems early on, so they can provide advice on how to prevent gum disease. They may also recommend special toothpaste, mouthwash, and other products that can help keep your mouth healthy. You should also make sure that you drink plenty of water every day—this keeps the bacteria in our bodies from getting out of hand! At Desert Family Dental, we specialize in periodontal treatments and cleanings. Learn more here.
If all else fails, there are some dietary changes that could help as well: avoiding sugar-rich foods like candy bars or soda pop will definitely cut down on plaque buildup in between visits with the hygienist.
Get a thorough cleaning done.
If your efforts to improve your oral hygiene routines are not showing any improvement in gum disease symptoms, it is possible that a more severe infection has developed, resulting in the formation of hard-to-reach bacteria pockets at the base of your teeth. To address this, it is recommended that you undergo a deep cleaning procedure administered by a dentist or periodontist every six months. This will help to eliminate tartar and other harmful substances from your mouth, ultimately leading to better oral health. Click here to schedule an appointment with our dentist.
Takeaway:
Gum disease is a serious condition that can lead to tooth loss, pain and infection. The best way to prevent gum disease is by getting regular dental checkups. If you have any symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis, see your dentist right away!
To prevent gum disease and keep your teeth clean:
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. This will help remove bacteria that causes plaque buildup on the surface of your teeth which then cause cavities when they grow deep enough in between them (cavities).
- Floss regularly
- Visit the dentist for regular checkups, which will include X-rays and/or an oral exam.
- When you eat, chew food thoroughly, especially hard candy and gum
- Drink sufficient water every day.
We hope this article has helped you understand how to prevent gum disease. The best way to avoid it is by brushing your teeth and flossing, but it’s also important to know what foods can cause problems with your gums too. There are many things that work better than others when it comes to preventing gum disease and you should talk to a dentist or a dental hygienist to chart out a plan of action that works best for you.
