A dental visit is not something we want to add to our calendars as frequently as we should, but it can be a huge help in preventing issues later on. One very serious issue we all want to avoid getting is gum disease. Today we are going to look a few important things regarding the disease such as how to recognize the signs, how the disease progresses, and what we can do to prevent the disease from occurring. Even with home prevention you should still visit your dentist for routine checkups. They are trained to pick up on things that you might not recognize.
Recognizing the Signs of Gum Disease
There are several conditions that could be indicators for gum disease. The best advice can be given by a dental specialist. Contact your periodontist today if you see the following activity in your mouth: bleeding while brushing teeth, red, swollen, or tender gums, or if your gums seem pulled back from the teeth. You should also contact your specialist if you’re experiencing stubborn bad breath, loose teeth, pus, a change in your bite, or a change in the fit of your partial dentures. You can start an online search for a dentist that can help you with periodontal disease bonita springs fl in your area.
How Gum Disease Progresses
We start out with healthy gums where the teeth are sitting in the gums firmly. At the onset of an infection due to a buildup of plaque and tartar, the supporting bone and gums around the teeth become destroyed. The absence of this support contributes to our teeth becoming loose and we also start to lose teeth. Even though the main cause of gum disease is bacteria, other things that can increase the risk of an infection include stress, smoking, diabetes, medication, grinding teeth, poor nutrition, genetics, and hormone fluctuations. If any of these factors are present in your life, you should frequently have check-ups with your dentist.
Disease Prevention
Preventing gum disease can be simple if you already have regular dental check-ups that include periodontal examination. While you’re home you can also contribute to prevention by doing the following: brushing twice a day with a good condition soft-bristled brush and anti-plaque toothpaste, flossing every day to remove food particles and bacteria, eating a balanced diet that includes all the basic food groups without snacks and candy, and avoiding the use of tobacco which tends to aggravate existing gum disease and can also cause inflamed gum tissue. The onset of an infection is not too late for you. Regular brushing and flossing can actually reverse gum disease during its early stages.
Conclusion
Make a commitment to yourself to contribute to your own gum disease prevention while you’re at home. Also get over the fear of going to the dentist for a regular checkup. If you have a family, you want to set good examples for them to follow, and dental habits are one of those examples. If you get your children started early on with good dental hygiene and comfortable with visiting the dentist, then they will already be comfortable going through the motions later on in life. Just remember to be proactive about your dental health by recognizing signs of gum disease, understanding how it progresses, and the steps you can take to prevent or reverse it.