Would you like to keep your smile healthy?
Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, is one of the most neglected (yet crucial) aspects of your health. It creeps up on you slowly. Most people don’t realize they have gum disease until damage has already been done. And here’s the worst part…
Gum disease is one of the easiest problems to prevent.
All you have to do is understand what to look for. Here is a blog of things you should know to keep your gums healthy and your teeth where they belong.
Let’s jump in!
What you’ll discover:
- What Is Gum Disease?
- Why Gum Disease Prevention Matters
- Simple Ways To Prevent Gum Disease
- When To See A Professional
What Is Gum Disease?
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is infection of the structures around the teeth, which include the gums, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. In the beginning stages, plaque builds up, the gums become inflamed and red, and then … Trouble has begun!
There are two main stages you should know about:
- Gingivitis: The mild early stage of gum disease when your gums become red, swollen and bleed easily. The upside? This stage is reversible.
- Periodontitis: Where your gums begin to recede from your teeth and bone loss occurs. This is much more difficult to treat.
Here’s the terrifying part: Gum disease is very prevalent. The CDC states that almost 42% of adults over the age of 30 suffer from some stage of periodontitis. Yup, nearly HALF of adults.
If gum disease causes teeth to be lost, they’ll have to be replaced. Today there are options like same day dental restorations. You can visit a qualified dentist in Gainesville VA and have missing or damaged teeth replaced rapidly. Often times same day dental implants are possible, making one visit to the dentist enough. However, it’s always more affordable to prevent than it is to replace. Let’s keep those natural teeth intact.
Why Gum Disease Prevention Matters
Preventing gum disease can help you in so many ways. Not just oral related ways! Here’s why…
It Protects Your Teeth
Periodontal disease is the number one reason adults lose teeth. As the infection progresses it destroys bone and tissue that hold teeth in place. Eventually, the teeth become loose and fall out.
Think about it:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Preventive dental care saves you money, time and a lot of pain.
It Protects Your Whole Body
Here’s something most people don’t realise…
Did you know your gum health affects the rest of your body? Studies show periodontal disease may be linked to heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Bacteria can spread from your mouth and cause inflammation.
Healthy gums = a healthier you.
It Saves You Money
Let’s face it… Dental work costs a lot of money. Getting rid of gum disease can require scaling/root planing, surgery, and sometimes tooth replacement. Prevention however, is practically free. A toothbrush, some floss, and routine checkups will never cost more than repairing a mouth full of issues.
Simple Ways To Prevent Gum Disease
Okay onto the fun stuff. Preventing gum disease is easier than you think. The best part is that almost all of these are completely FREE. Here we go…
Brush The Right Way
Brushing your teeth is easy, but most people aren’t doing it correctly. Brush your teeth twice daily for two minutes using a soft-bristled brush with circular motions.
Make sure you:
- Brush along the gum line where plaque loves to hide
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 months
- Don’t scrub too hard (it damages your gums)
Brushing your teeth prevents plaque from building up. When plaque does build up, it turns into tartar. And only a dentist or hygienist can clean off tartar.
Floss Every Single Day
Flossing. It’s the step everyone skips. But skipping it may be the worst thing you do. Here’s why. Your toothbrush can’t clean between your teeth. Guess where gum disease starts? That’s right – between the teeth. Non-flossers have dramatically higher rates of gum disease.
Flossing for just one minute a day can create a massive impact. Seriously.
Watch What You Eat
Food choices matter more than you realize. Sugars and starches are foods that bacteria love to eat and turn into plaque. The more sugar you consume, the more plaque your mouth will create.
Try to eat more:
- Crunchy fruits and vegetables
- Foods rich in vitamin C
- Water instead of sugary drinks
A healthy diet gives your gums the nutrients they need to fight infection.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, pay attention. There’s a reason this section is at the top. Smokers are significantly more likely to have gum disease. In fact, over 60% of current smokers suffer from periodontal disease.
Smoking decreases your body’s immune response. This slows down your gum’s healing process. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your gums.
When To See A Professional
Listen…. You can’t brush and floss at home enough to prevent everything. Even with a flawless routine there will always come a time when professional help is needed. Dentists can catch things before they become serious. They can also take care of that hard tartar that brushing will never help with.
Visit the dentist once a year. If you can twice, that’s ideal. They will:
- Give your teeth a deep professional cleaning
- Check for early signs of gum disease
- Catch small problems before they get big
And be alert to symptoms between appointments. If you experience any of these, schedule an appointment immediately:
- Bleeding gums when you brush or floss
- Red, swollen, or tender gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Teeth that feel loose
- Gums pulling away from your teeth
If gum disease is caught early, it can easily be treated. Wait long enough and you’re in for costly treatments and potential tooth loss.
Bringing It All Together
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is among the most prevalent health conditions affecting humans. Fortunately, gum disease is also incredibly preventable. Healthy gums are the result of a few simple steps taken routinely. For the sake of review:
- Brush twice a day and floss every day
- Eat a healthy diet and cut back on sugar
- Quit smoking if you do
- See your dentist regularly
- Watch for the early warning signs
None of these steps are difficult. Plus when you combine them you get multiple layers of protection that significantly reduce your risk.
It’s time we started taking care of ourselves again. Time put into prevention will never be wasted. You only get one set of originals. Do yourself a favor and start taking care of those gums now!
