According to the CDC, around 47% of people aged 30 and older have some kind of periodontal disease. When gum disease isn’t managed properly, it can cause severe infections and even tooth loss! Here are five ways to help prevent gum disease.
#1. Brush your teeth twice a day
Good oral hygiene is one of the best ways to protect your gum health. Plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria, is always forming on your teeth and gumline. When it isn’t removed, it causes inflammation, decay, and gum disease. Brushing at least twice a day keeps plaque from building up. For best results, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
#2. Floss once a day
Don’t forget about the spaces between your teeth! A toothbrush can’t clean between your teeth, but plaque and tartar can build up. To prevent periodontal disease, floss once a day.
#3. Visit the dentist for routine cleanings & exams
You can practice great oral hygiene at home, but you still need to see the dentist for professional cleanings! Only a dentist can remove hardened plaque – which is called tartar – from a tooth’s surface and along the gum line. Dentists can also spot the earliest signs of gum disease, so you can improve your oral hygiene and reverse the inflammation.
#4. Don’t smoke or use tobacco
According to the CDC, people who smoke have twice the risk for gum disease than people who don’t smoke. Your risk climbs with the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day and with how long you smoke. Chewing tobacco also increases your risk for gum disease. If you smoke or use tobacco, you can protect your gum health by quitting!
#5. Stay hydrated
Did you know your saliva is your mouth’s natural plaque fighter? As your spit washes over your teeth, it breaks up plaque and food debris! If your mouth gets dry, your risk for cavities and gum disease increases. That’s why drinking enough water is so important. Still struggling with a dry mouth? It could be a medication side effect. Ask your doctor what to do or if you can switch to another prescription.
Preventing periodontal disease at Hillstream Dental
Gum disease is the #1 cause of tooth loss in adults, so we want to help every patient avoid this serious condition. Most of the work is done at home by practicing great oral hygiene every day, but we’re proud to offer routine cleanings, exams, and deep cleanings. Please contact us today in Rochester Hills or St. Clair Shores, MI if you want to schedule an appointment!
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