Are your gums swollen or inflamed? Do your gums bleed when you brush or floss your teeth? If you answer yes to either question, you’re most likely suffering from periodontal disease. Periodontal disease, commonly referred to as gum disease, is a bacterial infection that affects the tissues that surround and support your teeth.
If you do have gum disease and don’t have it treated, it will spread and eventually worsen. Gum disease destroys the structures that support your teeth in your jaw bone. Your teeth can also eventually become so loose that you have to have them pulled. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to prevent gum disease from occurring in the first place. Some of those things include the following:
- Brush your teeth. Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each session. Be sure to gently brush along your gum line. If you’re using a hard bristled tooth brush, toss it out and get yourself a soft bristled tooth brush.
- Floss every day. Floss your teeth daily to remove plaque from areas your toothbrush can’t reach. Not a fan of floss? Try using a floss holder, which may make it easier to get in between your teeth.
- Eat a healthy diet. Starchy and sugary food increase plaque build, while eating a health well balanced diet provides the nutrients needed to prevent periodontal disease.
- Avoid tobacco products. If you use any tobacco products, such as cigarettes or chewing tobacco, it increases your chance of getting gum disease or even worse, oral cancer.
- Get preventative care. Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and professional cleanings. Not only is this a great way to prevent gum disease, it’s the surest way to detect it in its early stages.
- Correct dental problems. Having your dentist correct dental problems, such as misaligned teeth, faulty fillings or teeth grinding, can reduce the risk of gum disease.
As mention in the list above, visiting your dentist on a regular basis can help prevent gum disease. While practicing good oral from home can keep plaque in check, professional cleanings are the only way to remove tartar that may have built up on your teeth. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups can also help your dentist monitor your overall oral health and identify and prevent dental problems before they requires more extensive work.
If you feel that you may have gum disease, contact Advanced Dental Group at (561) 220-4808 to schedule a consultation today! Or visit our website at www.advanceddentalgrp.com for information regarding periodontal disease.
