Avoid Gum Disease Problems

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, develops when bacteria builds up between your gums and your teeth. As the bacteria continues to grow, your gums can become inflamed, leading to gingivitis, gum disease, and bone resorption. You can avoid developing gum disease by maintaining good oral hygiene and by adjusting your diet and your lifestyle. You should also learn how to treat gum disease so you do not end up with more severe dental issues in the future.

Steps

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene

1. Brush-Your-Teeth at least twice a day. One major way you can avoid a buildup of plaque on your teeth is brushing your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. You may also brush your teeth after meals to make sure there are no food particles stuck in your teeth. Use a toothbrush with a soft bristle head and toothpaste that contains fluoride.
   • When you brush, move the toothbrush backwards and forwards in short, circular motions. Sweep the toothbrush into the divots between your gums and your teeth at a 45 degree angle.
   • Try to brush every tooth in your mouth, especially teeth in the back of your mouth. You may work your way across the top and then the bottom row of teeth to ensure you brush each one. Brush your gums vertically to stimulate the blood circulation, which prevents swelling and bleeding gums.
   • Consider investing in an electric toothbrush, as they often work better than manual toothbrushes. Look for an electric toothbrush that has oscillating and rotating features. Make sure you use the electric toothbrush correctly to avoid causing gum recession.
2. Floss after you eat. Flossing after meals can help to remove food particles and other bacteria that can cause gum disease. Try to get in the habit of flossing after you eat and after you brush your teeth. You can also floss before brushing your teeth or rinsing with mouthwash. You may also carry floss with you in your bag so you can floss right after you eat or when you are not at home.
   • Floss by holding a long piece of floss between your two pointer fingers. Then, angle the floss to get between each tooth in your mouth. You may start at your top row of teeth and then finish by flossing your bottom row of teeth.
   • Change the floss if you see plaque on it and expect a bit of gum bleeding when you are flossing.
   • Make sure you floss your back teeth so there are no food particles remaining in your mouth.
3. Use mouthwash. You can keep your teeth clean by gargling with mouthwash every time you brush or floss. Swishing your mouth with mouthwash can help to remove any food particles or bacteria that you missed while flossing or brushing.
   • Look for mouthwash that does not contain alcohol or any other additives. Go for a mouthwash that advertises plaque removal.
   • You can get brighter teeth if you brush your teeth while holding half of a cup of mouthwash in your mouth. Use the mouthwash as a toothpaste and brush your teeth gently, especially the visible part of your teeth.
4. Schedule regular teeth cleanings. You should try to get yearly teeth cleanings so you are at a lower risk of developing gum disease. Set up a schedule with your dentist so you have a teeth cleaning every year and can get any dental issues checked out. This will ensure your teeth remain healthy and you are aware of any dental issues before they become more serious.

Adjusting Your Diet and Lifestyle

1. Avoid starchy foods and sugary foods. You can adjust your diet to help prevent the development of gum disease. Start by cutting out starchy foods, such as deep fried foods, and foods high in sugar, such as candy or prepackaged food products. These types of foods increase the amount of plaque on your teeth, which can lead to issues like gum disease.
   • You should try to maintain a diet that is high nutrients and vitamins, such as vitamin A and vitamin C. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis to maintain a healthy diet and a healthy set of teeth.
   • Try to switch to whole grain bread instead of white bread, which is usually more processed.
2. Do not smoke or use tobacco products. Smoking or using tobacco products like chewing tobacco can lead to gum disease and dental issues. Try to cut back on smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco so you are at a lower risk of gum disease.
   • Keep in mind smoking and using tobacco products can also lead to an increased risk of oral cancer.
3. Reduce-Stress. High stress and anxiety can lead to teeth grinding and other dental habits that can reduce the health of your teeth, such as periodontitis which is now a common problem. Try to reduce your stress level so you are at a lower risk of developing dental issues. You may try doing self-care to relax or take up a relaxing activity like yoga or deep breathing exercises.
   • You can also reduce your stress level by taking time in your day to go for a walk alone through an outdoor space you like or do a hobby that you enjoy. Spending time with family and friends can also be a way to reduce your stress levels.

Treating Gum Disease

1. Talk to your dentist. If you suspect you may have gum disease, you should speak to your dentist right away. During your appointment, you should ask your dentist about your gum health and share your dental hygiene habits with your dentist. Your dentist will perform a physical exam of your teeth to confirm that you have gum disease.
   • The dentist may also take an x-ray of your teeth to see if there is any bone loss.
   • You may be referred to a periodontist to get a more in depth diagnosis. Periodontists are trained to diagnose and treat gum disease.
2. Get a deep cleaning done on your teeth. One of the most common treatments for gum disease is doing a deep cleaning on your teeth. This treatment can help to Treat a Gum Infection and remove plaque that is causing the infection. The periodontist will perform the deep cleaning in their office with the assistance of a dental hygienist.
   • During a deep cleaning, the periodontist removes plaque on your teeth by using scaling and root planing. Scaling means scraping off the tartar above and below your gum line. Root planing means getting rid of rough spots and infiltrated cement on your tooth root where germs and bacteria tend to gather.
3. Take medication. Your dentist or periodontist may suggest certain medications that you can take along with a deep cleaning. Your dentist may prescribe antimicrobial mouth rinse to help control bacteria that may be causing gum disease. You may also get an antibiotic gel or oral antibiotics for short term treatment of bacteria in your mouth that may lead to gum disease or make your condition worse.
   • Talk to your periodontist about taking medications and always follow the recommended dosage.
4. Consider surgical intervention. If your gum disease problem is severe, your dentist may recommend surgery. You may also need to consider surgery if your teeth, gums, and teeth support are still inflamed and infected despite the use of deep cleaning and medication. Your dentist may recommend flap surgery or bone and tissue grafts to address your gum disease.
   • During flap surgery, your dentist will remove tartar deposits attached to your root and alveolar bone. Your dentist will lift back your gums and remove the tartar leaving a smooth surface. Then, the gums are sewn back in place so the tissue fits snugly around your tooth again.
   • During bone and tissue grafts, your dentist may use a natural or synthetic bone to replace bone loss in your mouth. Tissue grafts may be used to restore the natural aspect if there is any tissue loss in your mouth due to gum disease.

Related Articles

• Treat Gum Disease With Homemade Remedies
• Stop Bleeding Gums
• Avoid Tooth Decay

References

What links here

• Treat Gum Disease With Homemade Remedies
• Stimulate Gum Growth
• Get Rid of Gingivitis
• Stop Bleeding Gums
• Avoid Tooth Decay
• Get Pink Gums