Tips From a Dental Practice on Preventing Gum Disease

You need to have a checkup at a dental practice every six months. This is when a hygienist cleans your teeth to remove any buildup of plaque and tartar. This is also the time when a dentist does an oral examination, looking for things like cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer. However, during regular visits, a dentist also spends time educating patients about the prevention of certain risks.

Learning about gum disease while at a dental practice

As part of educating patients, dentists spend time teaching them how to avoid cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Considering that a lot of people do not know what gum disease is or the damage it can do, this is often a dentist’s main focus. Learning about gum disease is important. If not treated, it can wreak havoc on a person’s teeth, as well as their overall physical health.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease, also called periodontitis, is a serious infection of the gums. After infection sets in, it does not take much time for it to damage soft tissue. If left untreated, this oral disease can destroy the bone that supports the teeth. That then leads to teeth becoming loose and even falling out.

Signs of gum disease

The list of symptoms indicating gum disease is quite lengthy. At first, an individual would notice swelling of the gums, tenderness, and a change in color from pink to red or purple. As the infection rages on, a person’s gums start to bleed, which is often first noticed after brushing. Then, chewing becomes painful, and the gums pull away from the teeth.

Preventing gum disease

The goal is to prevent gum disease, which is why a dental practice educates patients during normal visits. It starts with proper brushing. Keeping the teeth clean prevents bacteria from forming. So, an individual should brush after every meal, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth, and use a circular motion. Also, it helps tremendously to brush a full two minutes.

Flossing also plays an important role in preventing gum disease. A dental practice advises patients to floss at the same time they brush. However, if someone feels something stuck between their teeth at any time, they should go ahead and floss again. This removes food particles and plaque that become trapped between the teeth and gums.

Rinsing with a mouthwash that contains fluoride is also recommended by a dental practice. This serves as one more line of defense against bacteria and plaque that lead to gum disease. The fluoride helps to strengthen teeth, giving oral health a boost. These three things combined work well for preventing gum disease.

Know when to visit a dental practice

Start by seeing a dentist every six months. However, if you notice any changes, contact a dental practice right away. Although you can do several things to prevent gum disease, if it has already set in, you do not want to delay treatment. Otherwise, you could experience secondary problems that lead to permanent damage.