Categories: Periodontics

Are Your Teeth Safe from the Destruction of Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is one of the issues dentists deal with often. It is typically a slow and painless disease that can reach the advanced stages before you have any noticeable symptoms. Ironically, the early stages of periodontal disease can be easily reversed with basic treatment and improved oral hygiene. The latter stages, however, can only be managed with professional treatment.

Gum disease leads to the deterioration of bone structure and gum tissue. If left unchecked, it will eventually lead to the loss of the tooth. Plaque seeping into the gum line causes gum disease. It prompts a response from the immune system which attacks the bacteria in the plaque, leading to inflammation and soreness.

Preventing periodontal disease

When it comes to periodontal disease, prevention is better than treatment. It only involves simple things that you should already be doing if you take oral health seriously. Here are some easy ways to keep gum disease at bay:

1. Practice good oral hygiene

The first step towards keeping your mouth free of periodontal disease is good dental hygiene. You should:

Brush your teeth twice daily, making sure one of those times is before bed
Floss once a day
Use an antibacterial mouthwash to reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth

2. Eat healthy foods

There are a variety of foods that facilitate gum disease. The main culprits are foods that contain plenty of sugar. Try to avoid anything that promotes the buildup of plaque.

3. Drink water

Water washes away food particles, bacteria and plaque from your teeth. Drinking a good amount of water every day makes it more likely that plaque is washed away before it has a chance to get underneath the gums.

4. Stay away from things that contribute to gum disease

Using tobacco products increases your odds of developing periodontal disease. There are also certain medications, like contraceptives, that create conditions that are favorable for gum disease. Speak to your doctor about these risks before beginning a new medication.

5. Visit the dentist often

There are no substitutes for regular visits to the dentists. The office staff will clean your teeth to remove plaque and tartar. During the appointment, the dentist will examine you for signs of gum disease and tooth decay.

When is professional help needed for gum disease?

As was mentioned earlier, regular visits to the dentist help to keep plaque and tartar buildup in check. The dentist uses a special metal tool to scrape off the hardened plaque. If the dentist notices symptoms of gum disease, treatments like root scaling and planing or a deep cleaning might be necessary. These treatments remove tartar and plaque from underneath the gums, stopping gum disease in its tracks. If the gum disease is still in the early stages, the dentist might create a personalized oral hygiene routine and prescribe a therapeutic mouthwash.