- Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential for preventing and treating gum disease.
- Home care such as brushing twice a day and flossing daily can help maintain oral hygiene.
- Making lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet low in sugar and processed foods can help protect your gums.
- For severe cases, laser treatment may be an option for deep cleaning the affected area and destroying bacteria.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a serious and sometimes painful condition affecting millions of people yearly. Left untreated, it can lead to tooth loss and other problems. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent gum disease or treat it if it has already developed.
This article will look at what causes gum disease and how you can keep your gums healthy by following a few simple tips. It will also discuss treatments for those who already have gum disease so they can return to good oral health.
Have regular dental check-ups and cleanings
Maintaining good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups are essential to addressing gum disease. Gingivitis is a common medical condition caused by bacteria, which, if left untreated, can lead to severe dental problems and even systemic health complications.
When considering how best to address gum disease, it is essential to choose a reputable dental office with qualified clinicians familiar with the most current research and treatments. It is also helpful to have regular cleanings at home since professional cleanings can prevent further damage from plaque buildup.
Implement lifestyle improvements
Here are some ways to make lifestyle changes that can help keep your gums healthy:
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily
Proper brushing and flossing habits protect oral hygiene and prevent gum disease. Brushing your teeth after each meal and once before bed helps remove food, ideally using a toothbrush with soft bristles that gently clean the teeth’ surface while stimulating the gums.
It is essential to brush methodically in circular or back-and-forth motions, reaching all four quadrants of the mouth. In combination with brushing twice a day, dentists recommend that you floss at least once daily to remove plaque and residue from between teeth that toothbrushes cannot reach. Flossing also helps prevent the buildup of calculus over time by keeping oral surfaces cleaner.
Use an antiseptic mouthwash.
Taking care of your oral hygiene is critical to maintaining overall health, especially when it comes to gum disease. Using an antiseptic mouthwash is essential to target the microbes that cause gum disease.
The mouthwash kills bacteria, and its natural ingredients act as a lubricant and anti-inflammatory to promote healthy tissue regeneration while reducing swelling and irritation. Regular use of an antiseptic mouthwash can help control painful symptoms and even reduce gum recession caused by periodontal diseases.
Eat a healthy diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet low in sugar and processed foods is essential to lessening the severity of gum disease. Sugary foods and foods high in refined carbohydrates can feed the bacteria in the plaque on your teeth, increasing inflammation and weakening your gums. It’s essential to stick with nutrient-rich whole foods that are lower in sugar, such as vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts, and legumes.
Limit more processed items like white bread, chips, and soft drinks that may contain high levels of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Eating plenty of fresh produce packed with vitamins and minerals will help reduce inflammation that leads to bleeding gums and promotes oral health.
Avoid tobacco products
The risks of smoking and chewing tobacco products are well documented and can lead to severe gum diseases. That’s why it is essential to avoid these products properly. Not only can tobacco use contribute to tooth decay, but it also breeds bacteria that result in gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontal disease.
These bacterial infections can damage the soft tissues of your mouth and the bone supporting your teeth if left untreated, eventually leading to tooth loss. Therefore, avoiding these products and their byproducts is essential for preserving oral health.
Furthermore, those who currently suffer from periodontal disease should strongly consider quitting tobacco use altogether, as this can help prevent further deterioration in the condition of their gums.
Consider laser treatment for severe gum disease cases
Laser treatment offers a minimally-invasive deep clean of the plaque and bacteria that have built up in severely advanced gum disease cases. Dental professionals can successfully treat affected gums without skilled manual manipulation or physical scraping by using lasers to target and destroy these layers of dangerous contaminants.
This kind of deep cleaning is essential for effective gum disease control. It can help protect patients from more serious dental health problems caused by advanced infection, including tooth loss and jawbone damage.
When considering laser treatment for severe gum disease cases, it’s essential to research the dentistry-based provider’s qualifications, areas of expertise, and experience administering the procedure — all of which help ensure both safety and superior results.
You can take steps to prevent, treat, or manage gum disease. Ultimately, it is essential to remember that gum disease often begins with a lack of proper oral care or bad lifestyle habits.
