When gums are not taken care of, gum disease can develop, and no one is immune to this condition. When it comes to the health of your mouth, you need to think about more than just your teeth!
Therefore, it is important to try and prevent this issue to ensure your smile looks its best. Not to mention for oral health reasons, too. Below are four ways you can prevent gum disease.
What EXACTLY Is Gum Disease?
Gum disease can be painless at times, which makes it hard to notice. With that said, the condition occurs when plaque builds up along and under your gum line. Plaque is a sticky, film-like substance. In addition, it’s all bacteria. The build-up of plaque can lead to infections that cause an issue within your mouth. You can develop tooth decay as a result, as well as gum disease.
The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis. Some symptoms include gums that are:
- Tender.
- Swollen.
- Inflamed, and easily bleed.
- Red.
The next stage after gingivitis is periodontitis. This next level of gum disease affects the bones that hold your teeth in place. This occurs when gum disease is not treated. Your bones, tissues, and gums connected to your teeth can deteriorate.
Advanced periodontitis is the last stage of gum disease. This happens when the bones and fibers supporting your teeth are beyond repair. This might impact your bite, and teeth could be removed.
Added signs of gum disease include:
- Loose or separating permanent teeth.
- Consistent bad breath.
- Gums that have pulled away from the teeth.
4 Ways To Prevent Gum Disease
The good news is that you can prevent gum disease. Below are four ways to do so.
1. A Solid Oral Health Care Routine
The best defense is a good offense. Simply cleaning your teeth and gums regularly can prevent gum disease. Establishing a solid oral health care routine is a great start! One big part of this is brushing your teeth twice, daily. You may want to go one step further and brush after every meal. This will help to remove plaque between your gums and teeth. While brushing, don’t forget your tongue! Your dentist in Burkburnett, TX may recommend using a soft-bristle toothbrush. Another tool to consider is an electric toothbrush. This helps to decrease plaque build-up more effectively when compared to a manual toothbrush. Ensure to swap out your toothbrush (or toothbrush head) every three to four months. You can do this even sooner if you notice the bristles are fraying. As well, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends going with a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
Don’t forget to floss once a day, as part of your oral hygiene routine. This removes food and plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach. Plus, using a mouth rinse gets rid of smaller particles. This is an added layer in the battle to decrease plaque build-up and reduce the chances of developing gingivitis.
2. Regular Dentist Cleanings & Checkups
Your Burkburnett dentist can detect early symptoms of gum disease. This is why regular checkups and cleanings are so important. Your dentist will see symptoms surface right away. Plus, things are taken care of before anything gets too serious. Lastly, dental cleanings help remove plaque build-up you may have missed. They take care of tartar, which also reduces the chances of developing gingivitis.
3. Place Limits On Sugary Snacks & Beverages
There’s nothing wrong with indulging in your favorite treat or sugary drink now and again. However, consuming these items regularly is not only bad for your teeth, but gums, too. Eating a healthy diet and refraining from sugar does a body good! However, it also helps keep your smile bright.
4. No Smoking
Here’s another reason to butt out for good! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking increases your chances of gum disease. Smoking cigarettes weakens your immune system, which also makes it difficult to fight off infection. This includes gum disease. Lastly, smoking makes it harder for your gums to heal if they become damaged.
Allow Your Burkburnett Dentist To Help With Gum Disease Prevention!
At Burkburnett Family Dental, we proudly serve the community with patience and compassionate care. Our team of dedicated professionals believes in a patient-centered approach to our services. Whether you come in for a check-up, teeth cleaning, or a restorative dentistry procedure, our goal is to keep your smile as healthy as possible. If you would like to learn more about gum disease prevention, give our dental office a call today.
