7 Ways To Prevent Periodontal Disease
Are you worried about developing periodontal disease and possibly losing your teeth? The truth is that gum disease is preventable with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits with our dentist at Artistic Touch Dentistry in Melbourne, FL.
What Happens When I Have Periodontal Disease?
When you are told that you have periodontal disease, you should know that it is the advanced stage of gum disease where your gums are actively receding and exposing the roots of your teeth. The first stage is gingivitis, which causes swollen, inflamed and bleeding gums. If your gums bleed for any reason while brushing or flossing or seem to be sore, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Melbourne, Florida for a checkup and teeth cleaning. Let’s dive in… Here are 7 Ways To Prevent Periodontal Disease:
1. Remember to Brush with a Manual or Electric Toothbrush a Minimum of Two Times a Day
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day with either a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. As long as you reach every surface of your teeth and along the gum line, it doesn’t matter which version you use. Just remember to always store your toothbrush upright so that it dries completely between uses. If you brush your teeth often, you may want to alternate between two different toothbrushes in order to give them time to dry between uses.
2. Floss Your Teeth Once Every 24 Hours
Flossing your teeth helps remove food particles and plaque between your teeth in areas where your toothbrush doesn’t reach. While you don’t need to floss every time you brush your teeth, we recommend flossing at least once every 24 hours. Most individuals choose to floss at night when they have more time available to floss correctly.
3. Use Mouthwash
Remember to use mouthwash to rinse your mouth. The mouthwash you choose should have the ADA seal of approval. You can choose an antibacterial mouthwash that contains alcohol or one that contains no alcohol and only fluoride. Fluoride helps protect your teeth while alcohol-based mouthwashes kill bacteria.
4. Don’t Forget to Scrape Your Tongue
Your tongue can harbor bacteria, just like your gums and teeth. For this reason, we recommend brushing your tongue at the same time you brush your teeth. To accomplish this task, you can use your toothbrush or purchase a special tongue scraper.
5. Take an Objective Look at Your Lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle can help you maintain your oral health. If you drink or use tobacco products, consider quitting. The alcohol in alcoholic drinks can dry out your mouth. Smoking also dries out your mouth and restricts blood flow to your gums, which can increase your risk of developing cavities and periodontal disease. If you eat a lot of sweets or sugary drinks, consider cutting back. Each time you eat something that contains a lot of sugar or simple carbs, you are causing a bacterial explosion in your mouth.
6. Consider Straightening Your Teeth
Crooked, crowded, or improperly gapped teeth are harder to clean than teeth that are straight. This is because the positions of your teeth may hinder your ability to reach every tooth surface and properly clean along your gum line, even if you are extremely detailed with your at-home oral hygiene routine. Our dentist in Melbourne offers Invisalign invisible aligning trays to help teens and adults straighten their teeth.
7. Schedule Six-Month Dental Teeth Cleaning Appointments
Remember to schedule dental check-up and teeth cleanings with our dentist every six months. While the recommendation in the past was to schedule dental appointments every 12 months, that may not be enough to stop the development of gingivitis and periodontal disease. By having your mouth examined and your teeth professionally cleaned every six months, signs of gum disease and cavities can be found at the earliest stages when it’s most easily treatable. You can also schedule appointments more often than every six months. If you notice that your gums are bleeding when you floss or that your gums or teeth are sore, you can schedule an appointment immediately so that the causes can be found and treated.
We hope these 7 ways to prevent periodontal disease have helped to bring awareness and if you’d like to schedule your next dental teeth cleaning appointment with our family dentist in Melbourne, FL, give us a call today at 321-724-1400.