How to Prevent Gum Disease at Home
The key factor to proper oral health – including supporting bone structure, gums, and teeth – is regularly removing plaque and food particles from the teeth and gums. Gum disease is caused when plaque and tartar accumulate, causing a hard buildup of bacteria that only a dentist can remove. However, gum disease is preventable with proper at-home dental hygiene. At Trusted Dental Care in Wylie, TX, Dr. Fesaha Gebrehiwot and his dedicated team specialize in general, restorative, and cosmetic dental services to help patients with their oral health needs. Read on to learn helpful tips for gum care and consistent oral hygiene at home to prevent gum disease.
When should I be concerned about gum disease?
Gum disease is a bacterial infection caused by plaque and tartar buildup. Poor dental hygiene can leave harmful food and plaque to impact a person's teeth and gums. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), signs of gum disease are:
- Inflamed, tender, red, or swollen gums
- Gums easily bleed after brushing or flossing
- Consistently bad breath or taste
- Gum recession
- Loose or separating teeth
Tips for maintaining healthy gums
People tend to focus on having a bright, vibrant smile and tend to overlook their gums. However, healthy teeth need healthy gums. Practicing good dental hygiene is the most important action a person can take and the first line of defense at avoiding gum disease.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Floss at least once a day
- Use a mouthwash daily to loosen food particles and debris
- Rinse with water, if brushing after eating is not possible
- Stop smoking or chewing tobacco
- Limit sugar
- Have regular dental exams and cleanings every six months
Gum disease prevention and treatment
Taking care of your gums is essential because they are the foundation of your smile. You can't have beautiful teeth if you lose them to gum disease. If you notice receding or bleeding gums, changes in your bite, loose teeth, or persistent bad breath, contact Trusted Dental Care immediately. Gum disease, or gingivitis, can go unnoticed until permanent damage occurs. Dr. G. and the team at Trusted Dental Care help Wylie, TX patients protect their teeth and gums with regular dental checkups. Professional dental cleanings are necessary to remove any tartar or plaque buildup missed with daily brushing and flossing. Trusted Dental Care offers laser gum treatment as a minimally invasive approach to address a patient's periodontal needs for more advanced cases.
If you have early signs of gingivitis, brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings can help reverse it. Whether you need laser treatment for gum disease or dental cleaning, Dr. G. and the professional team at Trusted Dental Care strive to help their patients have healthy gums and teeth. A professional dental cleaning every six months, along with an established dental care routine at home, can keep gum disease away. At Trusted Dental Care, Dr. Fesaha Gebrehiwot is an expert dentist in Wylie, TX, specializing in dental services to help meet your oral care needs. Please contact our office to schedule your dental appointment today.