Essential Dental Habits to Avoid Gum Disease

Here is some startling news about gum disease. According to the CDC, about 47.2% of adults aged 30 and above have gum disease. Even worse, about 70% of senior citizens have gum disease. While these statistics aren’t encouraging, you can do something to stop the menace. With tips and tricks from Inspiration Dental, residents in and around Riverview, Florida, can keep periodontal disease in check.

What is gum disease?

When you don’t practice optimal dental hygiene, plaque accumulates and eventually forms tartar or calculus that collects on your teeth and below the gums. Tartar and plaque buildup invites harmful bacteria that inflame your gums. In the early form of gum disease (gingivitis), you experience gum redness, mild bleeding, and swollen gums. Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible when you embark on a treatment plan.

Unfortunately, if you don’t treat gingivitis, it advances to periodontitis that infects the bone and tissues beneath the gum. The classic symptoms of periodontitis include chronic bad breath, gum recession, and loose teeth. Unfortunately, the damage is already done at this stage, and the disease can’t be cured. However, certain periodontal therapies can restore your oral health to its former self.

Dental habits to prevent gum disease

The good news is that you can prevent periodontal disease from happening in the first place. Dr. Janis Milne advises you to follow the below health habits to fight gum disease.

• Brushing and flossing: Brushing and flossing your teeth every day removes plaque and tartar that invites gum disease. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Floss daily to remove food particles in areas your brush can’t reach. Remember, this is a lifetime activity — missing just a few days is enough to invite gum disease in your mouth.
• Professional dental cleanings: Even the most diligent brushing and flossing can’t remove all the plaque in the mouth. Consider professional dental cleanings at least twice a year. Dental cleanings remove plaque in hard-to-reach areas, discouraging gum disease.
• Keep off tobacco: Smoking encourages the buildup of tartar that causes gum disease. Plus, smoking suppresses your ability to fight off infections, including gum disease, not to mention that smoking puts you at risk of mouth cancer.
• Stay hydrated: You might not have thought about it, but water promotes your oral health. First off, water washes away food debris that attracts gum disease-causing bacteria. Not only that – water dilutes acids that may erode your enamel.
• Mouthwash: Mouth rinsing not only eliminates bad breath but preserves your teeth and gums by killing bacteria that cause gum disease. However, mouthwash isn’t a substitute for brushing and flossing — it complements your at-home oral care.
• Watch out for signs of infection: While you can significantly reduce the risk of periodontal disease, you can reduce the risk to zero. So, keep your eyes peeled for early signs of gum disease to book an appointment with a dentist for prompt treatment.

Need to learn more about gum disease? Are you looking for gum disease treatment in Riverview, FL? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, please dial (813) 638-0313 to book an appointment with Inspiration Dental.