Dental Implants: Pros and Cons

5 Ways to Prevent Gum Disease

by Brett Clark

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, can lead to serious dental problems if it is left unchecked. It occurs when plaque forms on the teeth in the mouth and starts to build up, encouraging bacteria to grow in the mouth. This may lead to inflammation of the gums and even tooth loss. The following are some tips to prevent gum disease.

Drink A Lot of Water Regularly

For many people, water doesn't seem to play an integral part in preventing periodontal disease. As any qualified dentist will tell you, water plays a critical dental hygiene role. Saliva is made up of mucus, enzymes, water and electrolytes. It helps neutralise acids in the mouth during and after a meal. It also helps combat bacteria present in the mouth. Increase your intake of water on a regular basis to promote saliva production and ultimately prevent gum disease.

Brush Your Teeth Regularly

Brush your teeth twice a day to fight periodontal disease—once in the morning to eliminate bacteria that build up during the night and again before sleeping. It is imperative that you brush before going to bed because the production of saliva in the mouth drastically reduces as you sleep, leaving the mouth susceptible to bacterial infections.

Use the correct procedure to brush your teeth, as recommended by a dentist. Use circular motions while brushing and clean the baseline of your gum as well to remove as much bacteria as possible. Each cleaning session should last two minutes to avoid excessive brushing that can wear out your enamel.

Floss Regularly

Floss your teeth often to remove any food particles stuck between the teeth in areas a toothbrush can't reach to clean.

Have Regular Dental Checkups

Schedule regular visits to your dentist to consistently examine your teeth and find out what you need to improve on to better care for them. Regular checkups also help catch oral diseases early to treat them before they become serious problems. The recommended period is every six months.

Replace Your Toothbrush

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Replace it every three months as recommended by a dentist since the bristles wear out and become ineffective. You also avoid accumulating bacteria that collects on your brush.

Conclusion

To promote good oral hygiene, you need to prevent and treat gum disease. Clean your teeth regularly, visit your dentist every six months for a checkup and drink water daily.

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