subject: Keep Your Smile Healthy For A Lifetime By Preventing Gum Disease Now [print this page] Gum disease does not only happen to the elderly - it can happen to you at any age. Many U.S. adults currently have some form of gum disease ranging from simple gum inflammation to serious damage of the tissue and bone supporting your teeth. Preventing gum disease is a serious issue, with health implications worsening as the condition develops, allowing it to spread to other areas of your body.
Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is an inflammatory condition affecting the tissues surrounding a tooth, which is the leading cause of tooth loss. Once gum disease sets in, the toxins that are produced by the bacteria damage your teeth's connective tissue and bone. This can eventually destroy them and bring forth tooth loss.
Prevention Begins at Home
Periodontal disease is commonly caused by food particles and the build-up of plaque on your teeth. It is usually a painless and slow progression that can easily reach an advanced stage, which can result in the deterioration of your gums and bone structure.
Regular dental exams are necessary to remove tartar and to detect early signs of gum disease, but your own dental health regimen also plays a major role in preventing the build-up and progression of tartar. Some preventative steps you can take at home to keep your teeth healthy include:
Brush your teeth twice a day
Floss daily to remove plaque
Eat a well-balanced diet
Use a mouth rinse in conjunction with brushing and flossing
Avoid cigarettes and chewing tobacco
Smoking and Gum Disease
Heart and lung disease should be reason enough to quit smoking, but a new study has found evidence that is linking gum disease to smoking. Research has shown that current smokers are four times more likely to have periodontal disease than those who have never smoked.
Tobacco has been found to overwhelm the body's immune system, which reduces its ability to fight off an infection. It can also limit the growth of blood vessels, slowing down the healing process of damaged gum tissue. If you can quit smoking, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing gum disease.
Preventing Gum Disease may Help Avoid Alzheimer's
According to research, you may be able to avoid, or delay, the development of Alzheimer's by preventing gum disease in addition to other healthy lifestyle choices including exercise and drinking fruit or vegetable juice. New studies suggests that even though your family history may pre-determine your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease, there are various behaviors that may help delay the process of the developing the disease. Sometimes even the smallest lifestyle changes can make a positive impact on your health and prevention of diseases.
Regular visits to your dentist are important for the prevention of gum disease. Your Silver Spring dentist can remove tartar, and also detect early signs of gum disease. Take preventative measures now in addition to regular visits with your dentist and gum disease can be prevented for a lifetime.
