Best Ways to Prevent Gum Disease

Gum or periodontal disease can quietly destroy your smile and impact your overall health. Periodontal disease affects up to 50% of adults over 30 and is the number one cause of tooth loss. Periodontitis has various stages, and it is not curable but is preventable and treatable. There are simple ways to prevent gum disease and protect your smile.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Simply put, periodontal disease is an infection of the gum tissue. When certain bacteria are allowed to flourish in the mouth, they release toxins that can cause an inflammatory response within the gum tissue around the teeth. Over time, the gum tissue shrinks away from the teeth, creating pockets around the teeth where tartar and bacteria can hide. Eventually, the infection begins to break down the gum tissue and bone around the teeth, which can result in loose teeth.

Importance of Oral Hygiene

The best way to prevent gum disease is with routine oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing every day remove the bacteria that can cause periodontal disease. These bacteria create the film on teeth – plaque – that can harden into tartar within 24 hours. Brushing after each meal and flossing at least once a day can help prevent tartar from forming, which is where bacteria love to hide and breed.

Routine Dental Cleanings

Home oral care is vital for preventing gum disease but so are your professional dental cleanings. Even the most meticulous brushing and flossing patients can have small areas of tartar on their teeth. The only way to remove tartar is with dental instruments that hygienists use during professional dental cleanings. Most patients should have at least two dental cleanings annually for gum disease prevention.

Periodontal disease can result in many oral and overall health problems, eventually destroying bone around the teeth. At Majestic Smile Studio, we can help you prevent gum disease with regular dental visits. If you have periodontitis, we offer treatments to control this disease and slow its progression. Contact us today to schedule your next dental checkup and cleaning.