Gum disease affects a majority of American adults to varying degrees, from minor gingivitis to severe periodontitis. For many patients, it is also a leading factor behind tooth loss, as well as heightened risks of chronic systemic issues, like heart disease. The good news is that gum disease is also highly preventable, and for patients who’ve already developed gingivitis, it is also highly controllable. Even if you do develop the condition, you can successfully prevent the damage of gum disease to your smile and the increased threat to the rest of your overall health.
Brush and floss along your gum line.
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once is mandatory for keeping your smile healthy. In the case of gum disease, however, prevention requires that you pay special attention to cleaning along your gum line, where your teeth meet your gum tissues. Oral bacteria, which form dental plaque and tartar, can gather excessively along your gum line, leading to gum infection, inflammation, and disease.
Don’t ignore redness, bleeding, and inflammation.
When gingivitis first develops, you may not feel any discomfort until it grows more severe. However, you may notice that your gums seem red and inflamed, or that they bleed sometimes when your brush and floss. Many patients ignore these signs, believing them to be benign because they don’t hurt, and this neglect is a significant reason why gum disease is so prominent.
Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
No matter how well you keep your teeth and gums clean at home, preventing gum disease relies on you attending regular checkup and cleaning appointments at your dentist’s office. When oral bacteria calcify into tartar, or when they work their way underneath your gums, simply brushing and flossing will no longer be enough to remove the threat. Only professional treatment at your dentist’s office can successfully clean away the bacteria, and a professional examination will allow your dentist to make sure that gum disease hasn’t already developed.
Learn More About Preventing Gum Disease
Gum disease may be one of the biggest potential threats to your oral health, but with good hygiene and regular care from your dentist, you have an excellent chance at preventing it. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Brighton Family Dental Group in Brighton, MA, today at (617) 562-5210. We proudly welcome patients from Brighton, Watertown, Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, and all surrounding communities.
