Have you recently noticed bleeding from your gums while brushing or flossing? Do you have swollen gums and substantial pain? The chances are high that you have early signs of gum disease, also called gingivitis. The good news is gum disease is preventable, and with early treatment, it is possible to reverse the early symptoms. Check with your dentist in Kensington, CA, to learn more. In this post, we are sharing some essential tips to avoid gum disease.
- Focus on oral hygiene: You need to keep up your oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth and massage your gums twice daily, and if possible, floss after every meal. You can also ask your dentist to recommend an antimicrobial mouthwash to avoid the accumulation of plaque.
- Go for regular dental checkups: You should ideally schedule dental appointments every six months, regardless of your age. Your dentist will do an oral exam to find the possible signs of gum disease and recommend the right treatment plan to avoid further complications.
- Avoid tobacco: No matter whether you smoke or use other tobacco products, quit right away. Tobacco can impact the blood flow to your gums and affect your overall health. Also, smoking causes teeth staining, and you may have to go for whitening procedures, which means spending more money.
- Eat healthy: Improving your diet is a great way to keep your gums healthy. Include lots of fruits and veggies in your diet, and drink enough water throughout the day. Let your dentist know if you are taking medications that can cause dry mouth.
- Check the fit of dental appliances: If you use dentures or braces, you need to ensure they fit you properly. Ill-fitted dentures can lead to gum inflammation and pain, while braces that don’t fit well can cause buildup of plaque, which can cause gum disease.
- Focus on managing your health conditions: Diabetic patients and people with autoimmune disorders need to manage their overall health to keep gum disease at bay. Such patients are more at risk of developing severe complications, and recovery can take significant time.
Your dentist may recommend scaling and root planing periodically to keep your gums clean and healthy. These are non-invasive procedures and don’t cause any pain. Preventive measures go a long way in avoiding early signs of gum disease. You can expect to treat most advanced symptoms, including gum recession and tooth loosing with appropriate care. Find a dentist specializing in gum care near you now!