Tips for Gum Disease Prevention
Tips for gums disease prevention for our patients in The Loop and other Chicago neighborhoods
Gum disease, which your dentist may call periodontal disease, is a condition that requires treatment if teeth are to remain stable. However, the importance of detection goes beyond that. Because gum disease is in the mouth, it may be assumed that the teeth and gums are the only concern with this condition. As if this weren’t enough to prompt quick treatment, research indicates that the effects of gum disease may extend to the rest of the body. Increasing data suggests that gum disease may play a pivotal role in the onset or worsening of serious health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Early gum disease will produce no pain, nor can the naked eye see the problem within the tissue. By the time gum disease become noticeable to the individual, infection may have progressed to a point where cure is no longer possible. To empower our patients, we offer tips for gums prevention. If you live in the Loop, or another area near downtown Chicago, we invite you to contact our office for your dental check-up.
Some steps can be taken in addition to maintaining regular professional care to avoid. These include:
- Avoid the use of tobacco in any form. All forms of tobacco have a detrimental impact on the smile, and on your health. A study performed more than a decade ago implicated tobacco as a large factor in more than half of all cases of chronic disease.
- Be mindful of sugar. It is the primary food source for oral bacteria, the underlying cause of cavities. To minimize the nutrients available to oral bacteria, we suggest brushing after every meal, not just twice a day. If teeth cannot be brushed after a meal, rinsing the mouth thoroughly with water, or chewing gum with xylitol, will wash away at least some of the sugar residue that can feed bacteria.
- Fluoride treatments seem to have the added benefit of reducing the risk of gum disease. Fluoride treatments are typically administered as a way to reduce cavities. When there are fewer cavities, there is less area for bacteria to flourish.
- Oral hygiene is pivotal for oral health. When brushing, every surface of all teeth should be cleaned carefully, not just chewing surfaces. It is not necessary to brush aggressively. In fact, doing so can lead to gum recession and an increased risk. Flossing is necessary to prevent gum disease, as this is the only way to clean areas of teeth that cannot be reached with a toothbrush.
- If bleeding occurs when teeth are brushed or flossed, or the gums appear red and tender, it may have begun. Your dentist will provide customized treatment to remove infection and promote oral health.
- Regular dental visits combined with excellent oral hygiene are the greatest way to avoid gum disease. When you visit your dentist twice a year, the earliest detection is possible. At this stage, invasive treatment may not be needed.
Protect your smile from gum disease. Contact SmileMoreToday for your appointment.