Are you concerned about gum disease? If so, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that about 47% of adults in the U.S. have some degree of gum disease. This statistic is a bit worrisome, as untreated gum disease can have serious health effects. When you leave gum disease untreated, it increases your risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and even pregnancy complications. And that’s not news anyone wants to hear.
Makes Periodontitis Prevention a Priority
We’re not trying to throw a tongue twister your way, but we encourage you to prioritize periodontitis prevention. Thankfully, doing so is not all that difficult. Here are some things you can do daily to better care of your gums, and ultimately, your overall health.
1. Daily Oral Hygiene Routine
Taking care of your teeth and gums starts with a good oral hygiene routine in the comfort of your own home. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss at least once daily (ideally before bed after brushing your teeth), and rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash. Following proper brushing and flossing techniques with this routine can do wonders in keeping your smile happy and healthy.
2. Regular Dental Checkups
The next critical component of your oral hygiene routine is visiting your dental office near Hampton, Georgia, at least once every six months for a professional dental cleaning. While that routine we mentioned above is where it all starts, the fact is that we can’t always remove all of that bacteria from our mouths on our own.
When we leave bacteria to fester or miss parts of our teeth when brushing, it can turn into dental plaque, which will harden into tartar. The only way to remove the tartar is with a professional dental tool used by your dental team.
3. Eat a Balanced Diet for Gum Health
Eating a healthy diet does more than help keep our weight in check and our bodies healthy. It can have benefits for our gums, too. Dairy, fiber, apples, and ginger are all good for your gums. For example, ginger root is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce swelling in your gums. And we’ll talk about this more later, but water is one of your best friends when it comes to healthy teeth and gums.
4. Avoid Tobacco Products
Did you know that if you are a smoker, you are two times as likely to develop gum disease? Plus, smoking weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to resist and fight off infections, too. To add fuel to the fire, smoking increases your risk of developing oral cancer.
If you are a smoker or use any tobacco products, this is your public service announcement and plea from your dental team in Hampton to take the steps to quit—today. Your teeth, gums, and lungs will all thank you for it.
5. Stress Management
When we feel stressed, we’re less likely to take care of ourselves. We might reach for unhealthy snacks instead of those that are good for us. We might participate in risky behaviors that could harm ourselves and others. Further, we might neglect that oral hygiene routine we talked about earlier. Taking steps to manage your stress is a great way to reduce the risk of periodontitis and to protect your overall health.
6. Proper Hydration
Just like cars need gas, our bodies need water to operate efficiently. However, the amount of water we should drink is likely far more than you might realize. The Mayo Clinic suggests that we consume approximately 15.5 cups of fluids a day for men and about 11.5 cups of fluids a day for women.
Plus, when we drink an adequate amount of water, it helps to keep our mouths clean. The very act of drinking water helps to rinse down debris that has accumulated in your mouth during the day.
7. Consistent Oral Care Habits
Consistency is a must to stay ahead of gum disease. By diligently following daily habits like brushing, flossing, and eating well, you help prevent bacteria from building up and causing problems. Skipping days or ignoring these routines can leave room for gum disease to develop.
Regular dental checkups, managing stress, and proper hydration are all part of maintaining a routine that keeps your gums healthy and your smile bright. Remember, consistent care is your best defense against gum disease.
Treatment for Gum Disease
If your gum disease has progressed into periodontitis, periodontal therapy is always an option and will be the recommended course of action. Periodontal therapy includes various treatments designed to stop the progression of gum disease and improve your oral health.
This might involve deep cleaning teeth, which is also known as dental deep cleaning or scaling and root planing. During this procedure, we remove plaque and tartar from above and below the gum line, reaching deep into the pockets of infection to cleanse away harmful bacteria.
Another aspect of periodontal therapy could be addressing a periodontal abscess, a painful condition in which pus collects in the gums due to infection. Treatment typically involves draining the abscess and cleaning the affected area thoroughly to prevent further infection.
Additionally, if you’re wondering how to stop bleeding gums, maintaining good oral hygiene after professional treatments needs to be a priority—regular brushing, flossing, and follow-up care can help manage and stop the symptoms of gum disease, including bleeding gums.
Request an appointment with Allred Family Dentistry today.
If you are overdue for a dental cleaning or suspect you have gum disease, don’t delay in requesting an appointment with Allred Family Dentistry. We will assess the severity of your gum disease and partner with you on a treatment regimen to help get your teeth and gums healthy again. Schedule your appointment today.