Periodontal disease, also called gum disease, can cause significant oral health issues. When looking to prevent gum disease, you don’t have to go much further than adding a few healthy daily habits to your life. Albion Family Dental provides some of the most crucial tips to lower the risk of gum disease.
Understanding Periodontal Disease: What It Is and Its Symptoms
Periodontal disease (gum disease) refers to inflammation and infection in the tissues that support your teeth. It has a few different stages, beginning with gingivitis, which is the mildest form of gum disease, and progressing to advanced periodontitis.
Symptoms depend greatly on the stage of the infection and can include:[1]
- Bad breath
- Pain when chewing
- Swollen gums
- Red gums
- Gums pulling away from teeth (receding gums)
- Tooth loss
One of the symptoms of gum disease in its most advanced form is bone loss in the jawbone. Once the infection has progressed to that point, it can’t be reversed, though there are many procedures to resolve the infection and manage lingering issues.
Best Daily Habits for Preventing Gum Disease
Preventing gum disease is possible by adding some crucial daily habits to your routine.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing your teeth twice daily for four minutes each time is perhaps the most important daily habit you can get into, along with flossing twice daily. Doing so removes the plaque that forms on your teeth when bacteria and food particles mix. The plaque wears away your teeth’s enamel, making it easier for infections to take root. You can keep your teeth strong and healthy by removing plaque with daily brushing and flossing.
Pay Attention to Your Diet
What you eat has a significant impact on your oral health. Like the rest of your body, your teeth and gums depend on a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein. Consuming too many processed foods and foods high in sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which can contribute to a weakening of your enamel.[2]
If you eat sugary foods and drinks, rinse your mouth and brush your teeth immediately afterward. This can prevent the buildup of bacteria.
Stop Smoking
One of the worst things you can do to your overall health, as well as your oral health, is to smoke. Smoking constricts blood flow to your gums and weakens your immune system, making fighting off infections difficult. If you have gum disease, smoking slows down the healing process, too.[2]
Drink Water
Make sure you’re getting a good amount of water every day. One of the natural tools your body uses to protect your teeth from bacteria is your saliva, so you want to ensure you’re hydrated enough to produce the levels your body needs. Avoid anything that dehydrates you and stick to plain water.
Get Regular Professional Cleanings
You can do only so much at home. Even if you floss and brush as necessary, you may not be able to reach all the food particles and bacteria that get stuck in your teeth and gums. This can result in pockets of bacteria that could cause significant harm to your oral health. When you get a professional cleaning, dental hygienists and periodontists use specialized tools to target even the most difficult spots to reach and clean.
If plaque hardens to tartar, you cannot remove it at home. You need professional cleaning. However, you may not even realize you have tartar, which makes regular cleanings even more critical.
Wear a Nightguard
Consider wearing a nightguard if you tend to grind your teeth while you sleep. These are barriers that keep your teeth from clenching together. Grinding your teeth can cause chips and cracks in the enamel, allowing bacteria in and potentially causing an infection.
Learn How to Prevent Gum Disease By Visiting Albion Family Dental
Taking necessary daily steps like brushing and flossing, drinking lots of water, and eating the right foods can all significantly impact gum health. However, the only way to really know if you have periodontitis is to get regular checkups with a trusted periodontist.
At Albion Family Dental, we provide gentle dental care to help you tackle any oral health concerns. Schedule an appointment by calling us at 585-589-9044.
Sources:
[1] https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/gum-disease#symptoms
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/periodontal-gum-disease.html