Steps To Help Prevent Gum Disease

When you go to the dentist, you may think the primary concern is care for your teeth. However, your dentist is just as concerned about the care of your gums. Gum disease, while easily treatable in most cases, can cause a wealth of problems if left unchecked. In fact, you can lose your permanent teeth if you do not care for your gums. Irreversible bone loss can also occur. To prevent gum disease, take the following steps:

Floss Every Day

Flossing is the best thing you can do to ensure your gums remain healthy. You should floss your teeth daily to remove plaque and food buildup that accumulates near the gumline and between the teeth. If you do not remove this matter, you can experience tooth decay, bleeding gums, and swollen gum tissue. Over time, you may notice your gums hurt. If this happens, be sure to make an appointment with your dentist right away.

Rinse With Mouthwash Every Day

Rinsing your mouth out once or twice a day with an antibacterial mouthwash is another step you can take to fight gum disease. Mouthwash helps your breath remain fresh and clean, but it also helps to get rid of any bacteria that can cause gum disease. Once the bacteria are removed, less plaque can build up on your teeth and gums, which decreases your odds for getting gum disease.

Watch Out for Symptoms of Gum Disease

You need to be able to recognize the symptoms of gum disease. Knowing the symptoms will help you immediately know if you need to seek treatment for your gums. If you discover the symptoms early enough, you can treat and even reverse them before the disease can negatively impact your overall oral health. Among the most common symptoms include very severe tooth sensitivity and a lot of plaque buildup. Bleeding that does not stop quickly and swelling can also be indicative of gum disease.

Take Care of Your Overall Health

Your overall health significantly impacts your oral health. Fortunately, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent gum disease, such as smoking cessation, regular water intake, and eating a healthy diet. Decreasing your sugar intake also has an impact on your oral health. Sugar helps promote bacteria growth in the mouth. If you decrease your sugar intake, less plaque can build up on your teeth and gums. All these changes can greatly reduce the odds of you getting gum disease. To learn more, contact a general dentist like Dr. Jon Douglas Lesan, DDS, RpH, PA.

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