How to Prevent Gum Disease?

Gum disease is a condition where the plaque becomes an obstinate residue along and under the gum line of the mouth. Plaque is filled with bacteria and can cause infection to the gum as well as the underlying jaw bone. The earliest stage of gum disease is gingivitis that makes the gums tender, inflamed, swollen, and sometimes bleed. Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease that can harm the gums, tissues, and bones that hold teeth together. Thus, it is of utmost importance to do everything possible to prevent gum disease.

Preventing Gum Disease at Home

While visits to the dentist to detect tartar and plaque is necessary, here are a few at-home prevention techniques that can help you keep your gums healthy:

1. Brush your teeth when you wake up in the morning, and before you go to bed. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, and make sure you brush along the gum line.
2. Floss after you brush your teeth so that any food residue your toothbrush could not reach is taken care of.
3. A mouth rinse can reduce plaque immensely. So, make sure you rinse your mouth at the end of your everyday routine with an ADA-approved mouth rinse.
4. Maintain a healthy diet with less sugar and starch and more essential nutrients, especially Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
5. Be aware of certain medications such as anti-depressants and oral contraceptives that may aggravate gum disease.
6. Quit smoking as smoking can trigger gum disease as well as oral cancer. Also, it weakens the immune system making it harder to fight off gum disease.

When to Visit the Dentist

Ideally, you are to visit a dentist every six months for routine dental care. Bi-annual visits, coupled with everyday brushing and flossing, should be able to keep gum disease at bay. However, schedule an appointment with the dentist if you see any signs of gum disease or gingivitis such as inflammation, redness, bleeding while brushing, loose teeth, or consistent bad breath. It is also advisable to see a periodontist once a year to get a comprehensive evaluation to prevent the possible onset of gum disease.