Don’t Be Late: How to Prevent Periodontal Disease

You can easily recognize a healthy person from afar due to a wide snow-white smile. Unfortunately, not everybody can boast a Hollywood smile because of some dental problems which can’t be solved just with the help of teeth whitening. One of the most widespread issues is periodontal disease. According to a CDC report,  about 47% of adults at the age of 30 experience some form of gum illness, while 70% of people aged 65 and older suffer from serious cases.

Periodontal Disease: What Is It?

Some people do not realize the seriousness of the problem as periodontal disease is not explained enough. This illness is the result of infection and irritation of the gums and bone which support teeth. The first stage is called gingivitis and during it, the gums are red, swollen, and even bleeding. Periodontitis is a more severe form that may lead to the loss of the teeth. Unfortunately, many people are caring about tooth decay, forgetting about a periodontal disease that is a dental problem №1.

Causes and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Do you know what causes periodontal disease? The reason for having periodontal disease is bacteria, which infect tissue around the tooth. As a result, inflammation appears, causing dental problem. Sometimes, the gum disease progresses without noticeable symptoms, but it is better to pay attention to possible cautionary signs:

•         Bleeding gums
•         Sensitive teeth
•         Bad breath that you can’t get rid of
•         Hurtful chewing
•         Loose teeth
•         Inflamed gums

Also, keep an eye on changes you notice in fitting teeth together while you are eating. Any of these symptoms is a signal you need to see a family dentist urgently.

How to Cure Gum Disease?

In case you examine gingivitis in its early stage, you will only need professional teeth cleaning every three months. If the situation is more complicated, using periodontal disease toothpaste is not enough. You will have to go through periodontal disease therapy at a dentist’s office that may include these procedures:

• Gum surgery: flap operation to remove bacterial infection below the gumline; gingivectomy to delete affected tissue, or gum grafting in case of deep-set tissue
• Root planing and scaling: deep cleaning under local anesthetic to remove plaque under the gum line
• Regenerative procedures: placing membranes, bone graft or tissue-stimulating proteins on the affected area for encouraging tissue and bone to regenerate

Useful Tips on the Prevention of Periodontal Disease

There is no doubt, you can stop the progression of the disease at an early stage if you practice appropriate plaque control. It consists of regular home care, professional cleanings twice a year and making some changes in a lifestyle. These tips will help you reduce the risks of periodontal disease and avoid making an appointment with an emergency dentist:

1.  Dental check-ups

It is recommended to see your dentist regularly to prevent gum disease, especially if you have crowded or misaligned teeth, braces, or bridges. In this case, usual teeth whitening and cleaning are more complicated; hence, the risks of suffering from periodontal disease are higher. Timely consultation with a dentist will reduce this possibility.

2.  Proper oral hygiene

In addition to regular teeth cleaning two times a day, you should choose the right toothbrush. People who are at the risk of periodontal disease should prefer a soft toothbrush instead of a hard one as the latter may worsen the primary symptoms and lead to bleeding. Change a toothbrush every three months. Another good idea is flossing after having meals as the floss can pass through difficult to reach areas and remove bacteria.  

3.  Lifestyle shifts

Lifestyle behavior affects oral health and may induce problems with the teeth as stated in the survey of the CDC. People who smoke and stick to a poor diet should think about changing their bad habits to avoid periodontal illness. 

Besides, other risk factors also can cause gum disease: stress, heredity, feminine hormonal changes, crooked teeth and taking medicine. While you can’t overcome some of them, there are habits you can change to reduce the possibility to call an emergency dentist because of having warning signs of periodontal disease.

Conclusion

Forewarned is forearmed. Knowing how gum disease is treated is a good point but following tips on its prevention is better. See the doctor regularly and if you are looking for a dentist in Albuquerque, Gallegos Family Dentistry may be a great choice. A specialist can tell you more about periodontal disease natural remedies and give a general recommendation on taking care of teeth at home.