Gum disease often causes substantial issues with oral health. It can even result in tooth loss and many additional concerns. Understanding the signs of gum disease and tips for presenting gum disease can significantly help to protect your overall oral health. Some common oral hygiene mistakes can allow gum disease to develop more easily. Here are a few of the best tips to help you in preventing gum disease or reversing it after it has settled in.
Learn the Signs of Gum Disease
Understanding the signs of gum disease can help you to know when it is time to take action to reverse gum disease. One of the most obvious signs of gum disease is bleeding gums. If you notice that your gums have begun bleeding whenever you floss or brush your teeth, it is very likely that you have some level of gum disease. Bad breath, receding gums, swollen and red gums, pus pockets located between the gums and teeth, and teeth that become loose all indicate that gum disease is present.
The Consequences of Gum Disease
There are many common consequences that come alongside gum disease. It is important to take the steps to reverse gum disease in order to prevent these issues from escalating. One of the biggest concerns that is associated with gum disease is deterioration of the jawbone and loss of teeth.
Stages of Gum Disease
There are multiple stages of gum disease. However, it is important to note that each stage should be taken seriously in order to prevent escalation. The more severe stage of gum disease is called periodontitis. The milder stage of gum disease is generally called gingivitis, which tends to progress into periodontitis. If you have noticed the presence of gum disease, it is crucial to consult with a dentist to develop a plan to protect your teeth.
Tips for Preventing Gum Disease
Due to the many consequences that can result from gum disease, it is important to take the steps for preventing gum disease. These steps can substantially help to protect the health of your teeth and prevent serious oral health issues. Here are a few great tips for helping you in preventing gum disease.
Maintain a Superior Oral Hygiene Routine
In order to prevent gum disease, it is important to remove plaque from the surface of your teeth. Plaque often develops over the day and it can harden within 24-72 hours. After plaque has hardened, it becomes a substance known as tartar, which is far more difficult to remove. This is why it is critical to remove plaque from your teeth on a daily basis, before it is allowed to harden and develop into tartar. This is most effectively done with the use of a great oral hygiene routine. You need to brush your teeth first thing in the morning and the last thing before you go to bed. This helps to remove plaque and prevent it from causing damage to your teeth.
It is important to brush for at least two minutes at a time in order to thoroughly remove plaque and food particles from your teeth. Flossing is also an important step to take on a daily basis. This is because flossing is often the only way to effectively remove food particles from between the teeth and in areas where your toothbrush won’t reach.
Have Regular Dental Cleanings
As mentioned previously, tartar is hardened plaque that becomes far more difficult to remove. No amount of brushing or flossing will remove tartar from your teeth. In order to remove plaque, it is important to visit your dentist on a regular basis. They have a process called scaling that removes plaque from the surface of the teeth. Most experts recommend that you obtain professional dental cleanings at a minimum of once every six months. A regular dental visit will also help to find problems in the early stages, before they are allowed to escalate to a substantial amount.
Choose the Right Toothpaste
Choosing the right toothpaste is important in caring for your specific smile. Every smile is different, which often means that it has different requirements. Fluoride toothpaste tends to be beneficial for any smile, because fluoride helps to strengthen the teeth and reduce the buildup of plaque. Anti-gingivitis or anti-plaque toothpaste can go a long way toward preventing gum disease.
You should also take care when you decide on the best toothbrush for your needs. In many situations, using a hard-bristled toothbrush is not recommended. These kinds of toothbrush can cause damage to the enamel of the teeth and the surface of the gums.
Quit Smoking or Using Other Tobacco Products
Smoking and the use of tobacco products tends to result in more plaque accumulation on the surface of the teeth. This makes it far more likely that gum disease will develop. In addition, the use of these products significantly increases the risk of oral cancer. Quitting the use of these products will go a long way toward lowering health risks and improving your overall oral health.
Consider the Use of Mouthwash
Mouthwash is often not considered an essential part of your oral health routine, unlike the use of regular brushing and flossing. However, mouthwash can be especially beneficial in preventing the development of gum disease. Certain types of mouthwash are designed specifically to fight plaque. It can also help to rinse excess food particles out of the mouth, which can provide additional protection for the teeth.
These are just a few steps that can aid in preventing gum disease from developing in your mouth. In order to effectively protect the health of your teeth, it is important to regularly visit your dentist and undertake an efficient oral hygiene routine. Preventing gum disease can help prevent teeth becoming lost, along with a whole array of other issues. To learn more about how to prevent gum disease and keep your smile in the best possible condition, contact our experts at Avenues Family Dentistry today!