7 Ways to Prevent Gum Disease

What Is Gum Disease?

It is one of the most common dental issues in dentistry, featuring a bacteria infection that damages the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Gum disease affects the periodontium, starting from the gums to the bone tissue. While gum disease is not life-threatening, delaying or overlooking treatment can cause permanent health problems. In fact, over time, the infection can spread to other body parts like your brain and heart.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gum disease is often a product of various factors. The most common cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene. It allows plaque to build up on teeth surfaces, realizing bacteria into the soft tissues. However, other factors that heighten your risk of gum disease are:

1. Smoking and using other tobacco products
2. Excessive alcohol consumption
3. Hormonal imbalance – more so during pregnancy
4. Genetics – a family history of gum disease increases your risk of the same condition.
5. Underlying health problems, like diabetes and high blood pressure

Will You Know You Have Gum Disease?

Typically, the different stages of gum disease impact your oral health differently. The more severe the infection, the more prominent the symptoms. Common symptoms of gum disease are:

1. Bleeding gums – usually when you brush your teeth or eat raw hard foods like apples.
2. Persistent bad breath
3. Dental pain – emanates from your gums and radiates throughout, impacting your teeth and jaw.
4. Recurrent mouth sores
5. Swollen, reddened, and gums that are tender to touch.
6. Receded gums
7. Black triangles between teeth – also called gingival embrasures. They start forming when gums recede, pulling away from teeth.
8. Weak and wobbly teeth – may eventually result in premature tooth loss.

Can Gum Disease Be Reversed?

Usually, dentists can reverse the early stages of periodontal disease in Raritan, New Jersey. The early stage is called gingivitis. The symptoms of this stage of infection are mild and moderate, heightening the chances of reversing their effects on your oral cavity.

Unfortunately, periodontitis is a severe gum infection that cannot be reversed. Therefore, if you allow the infection to advance and progress into periodontitis, you have to deal with the permanent repercussions thereof.

Crucial Tips to Help You Prevent Gum Disease

Instead of obsessing about gum disease treatment in Raritan, New Jersey, that can reverse your gum infection, consider preventive measures to keep your gums healthy. Some tips to prevent gum disease are:

1. Visit your dentist regularly – usually, you should visit your dentist at least twice yearly. However, if you are at a high risk of gum disease, consider visiting your dentist every 3 or 4 months. Routine dental visits are crucial for dental cleanings and exams. The exams allow the dentist to evaluate your oral cavity, checking for early signs of infections to mitigate them accordingly. The cleanings help boost your oral hygiene, addressing the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth.
2. Keep your mouth clean daily – purpose to brush your teeth after every meal or at least twice daily. You should also never skip flossing as it removes food residue and plaque between teeth.
3. Quit smoking and other tobacco usages – they destroy healthy cells, promote inflammation, slow healing, and heighten your risk of oral problems. Examples include gingivitis and oral cancer.
4. Eat healthily – a bunch of fruits and vegetables in your daily meals will provide your body necessary nutrients to remain healthy and boost your immune system. A strong immune system allows your body to better fight infections and keeps your gums healthy.
5. Take a lot of water – Hydration does not only benefit your body. Instead, it helps keep your mouth moist by Boosting saliva production. The result is a balanced pH that discourages bacterial overgrowth that can damage your gums.
6. Use the right oral hygiene products – the initial one is finding the best quality toothbrush to clean your teeth. Ensure you replace it every three months. Besides that, use fluoride toothpaste and a mouthguard for gingivitis. If unsure of the right products, visit us at Stunning Smiles of Somerset for types of antibacterial mouthwash products you can try.
7. Lead a healthy lifestyle – your gum health is part of your general body health. Living healthily means managing stress, balancing hormones, eating healthy, and staying fit. These factors will, directly and indirectly, protect your gum health and fight gum disease.