Gum disease, better known as periodontal disease, is a widespread oral issue that affects 75% of all American adults. If your gums are tender, puffy, or bleeding when you brush your teeth or floss, this is a major indicator that you may have gum disease. It is crucial for you to take immediate action if you notice these warning signs, untreated gum disease can lead to the separation of the gums and teeth, which will form an open area for bacteria to live. In order to prevent this, Beauty Smile Orthodontics has some helpful tips for you:
Brush your teeth: Brushing your teeth and gums at least twice a day will greatly lower the chance of gum disease. However, it is even more important to brush your teeth after meals because it will remove the plaque and bacteria immediately.
Floss: It is essential for everyone to floss once a day to reach the places a toothbrush cannot reach, such as in between the teeth where food particles may be lodged into.
Use mouthwash: Believe it or not, mouthwash has more of a purpose than to just freshen your breath every morning. Using mouthwash at least once a day will keep your teeth and gums healthy and will prevent tooth decay.
Improve your lifestyle: Knowing the risks you take on an everyday basis is important when preventing gum disease. There are many factors that can increase the chance of this such as, age, diet, genes, and smoking. Improving your lifestyle with the things you can control will greatly reduce your chance of contracting gum disease.
Visit a periodontist: Seeing a periodontist and receiving a comprehensive periodontal evaluation, which looks at your teeth, gums, bite, plaque levels, and bone structure, will help determine if you are at a high risk for gum disease. If you feel you have the general symptoms of periodontal disease, then it is best for you to see a periodontist.
For more information or questions about how to prevent gum disease, contact us at Beauty Smile Orthodontics today.