Straight Teeth in Less Time
Can You Prevent Gum Disease?
Lois Murray
If you go to the dentist on a regular basis, you will probably be very familiar with the term "gum disease." This disease—also known as periodontal disease—affects a lot of people, and it is something you probably hope you never get. The good news is that you can prevent gum disease. The bad news is that preventing it will require developing excellent habits with your oral health. Here are several things to understand about gum disease and ways you can prevent it.
How gum disease forms
To learn how to prevent gum disease, you will need to understand fully how gum disease forms in the first place. Gum disease is something that occurs when bacteria from plaque gets into your gums, and this happens when you leave plaque on your teeth for too long. When the plaque gets behind your gums, the bacteria eats away at your gums, and this is really what gum disease is. If you have gum disease and do not seek help for it, the disease will continue eating away at your gums until they have receded so much that your teeth are loose.
Ways to prevent gum disease
There are several great steps you can take that will help you prevent developing gum disease. The first method is by taking care of your teeth through daily brushing and flossing. Brushing your teeth removes plaque from your teeth, while flossing is helpful for removing plaque your toothbrush cannot reach very well.
Going to a clinic to get your teeth cleaned every six months is another good step to take if you want to prevent gum disease. During your cleaning, you can be certain that your hygienist will remove the plaque from your teeth before it can seep under your gums. During this time, the hygienist can also perform a measurement test of your gumlines, and this is one of the most useful ways to detect gum disease in its initial stage.
Using fluoride products can also play a role in this. Fluoride strengthens enamel, and this is essential for keeping your teeth healthy and cavity-free. You can find fluoride in toothpaste, mouthwash products, and in other types of oral care products you can purchase at a pharmacy.
If you suspect that you might have gum disease, or if you have not visited a dentist recently and would like to get an examination, contact a local dentistry clinic to see what options they have for periodontal disease treatments.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.