Gum (or periodontal) disease can strike the best of us. It only takes a small amount of plaque on the surface of your teeth to set it off. As with most dental problems, however, the best way to avoid gum disease involves daily brushing and flossing.
Symptoms of Gum Disease:
- Sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- Pain when chewing
- Tooth loss
If you start seeing any of these symptoms, contact your dentist. Treatments for gum disease vary from case to case—from a simple deep cleaning to medication or surgery.
Thankfully, you can prevent gum disease from getting to that point. Brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day will remove any pesky plaque from your teeth.
But if you’re looking for even more support, try including a mouthwash like Act or Listerine. Though definitely not a replacement for brushing and flossing, mouthwashes can reach those hard-to-reach places you sometimes miss with your brush.
In addition to brushing, flossingand mouthwash, regular visits to the dentist help tremendously in gum disease prevention. Dentists have the knowledge and tools integral for keeping your mouth in the best shape possible.
There are three factors that affect your prognosis for gum disease: (1) What you do at home; (2) what your dental team does for you and; (3) your genetics. Working together with your dentist can help you to control at least two of these three factors.
For more information on our Brighton dentists and how to avoid gum disease, contact our Brighton dentists or call us at 810.227.4111.
