Preventing Periodontal Disease

It’s likely that you have heard of periodontal disease even if you haven’t heard it called that. Periodontal disease is also called gum disease but can cause bad breath, bleeding gums, and oral infections. Periodontal disease is the most common disease that dentists diagnose in patients. Fortunately, there are also some simple steps that you can take to make sure that you aren’t ever plagued by the effects of periodontal disease.

Brush Your Teeth

Your dentist or dental hygienist will probably ask if you have been brushing your teeth. They aren’t asking if you just do this occasionally, but if you brush twice a day for about two minutes each time. Brushing your teeth helps to clear the debris left behind from the food, drinks and bacterial buildup that we experience throughout the day and night. If this buildup is left on the teeth, it can harbor bacteria that can lead to gum disease.

Floss in Addition to Brushing

Flossing helps to remove bacteria and sugars from the interdental spaces, those places between the teeth that brushing can miss. Cavities often form in the areas that brushing just can’t reach, so it makes it even more important to floss. You should floss once a day. There are a variety of flosses available, so if you have questions about the best floss for your dental routine, ask your dentist.

Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash is another method that can be used to help physically clear some of the bacteria or food particles from the mouth, and some mouthwashes also help to disinfect and kill bacteria that can cause infection. Additionally, mouthwash can offer temporary improvements to the smell of your breath.

Reduce the Risks

There are several factors that are associated with periodontal disease. While some of these factors cannot be changed, there are some lifestyle choices that you can alter to improve your dental hygiene.

• Smoking – Smoking can increase the chances of contracting periodontal disease for a variety of reasons. The smoke that enters your mouth brings additional bacteria and coats your teeth and gums in a film of residue that can further harbor bacteria. An additional factor is that smoking can also reduce your body’s immune system which can affect your ability to fight off minor oral infections.

• Diet – Eating foods that are high in sugars and fats can introduce additional bacteria and the substances that bacteria thrive upon. Bacteria can quickly multiply and cause damage to your teeth and gums when they have a sugary environment. Reducing the amount of sugar or sugary drinks that you consume can have a substantial impact on the health of your mouth.

• Age – Children can be more prone to periodontal disease because they haven’t developed a good routine of oral health and their brushing may be inadequate. Additionally, as we age, the body can become more susceptible to infections. The tissue in our mouths has been subjected to years of use, and this can reduce the oral defenses that you have. This means that older populations must maintain an even higher standard of dental care.

Get Your Checkups

Early detection of periodontal disease can greatly increase your chances of resolving problems with low-level interventions. As the disease progresses, the treatments can become more invasive and difficult to complete. If you visit your dentist regularly, they can identify signs of periodontal disease before it becomes a real issue. Early detection can also help to reduce any of the problems associated with periodontal disease like gum recession, tooth decay, and even tooth loss.

Overview

Following some of this easy guidance can help correct periodontal disease or even avoid it altogether. If you have any additional questions or concerns about periodontal disease, call to schedule an appointment with Today's Family Dental in Tampa, FL today!