subject: Prevent Gum Disease To Maintain A Healthy Smile [print this page] The leading cause of tooth loss in the United States is not old age. In fact, the leading cause of tooth loss is periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease. Nearly 80 percent of adults have periodontal disease at some point in their lives. Periodontal disease ranges from simple gum inflammation to a serious disease that can lead to major damage to the soft tissue and bone that supports the teeth. Whether your gum disease is stopped, slowed or gets worse depends on how well you care for your teeth and gums every day.
Gingivitis v. Gum Disease
Bacterial byproducts in the tartar that develops from bacterial buildup cause the gums to become infected, red and tender. This is a condition known as gingivitis (the beginning stage of periodontal disease). If you do not receive professional cleaning to halt the spread of gingivitis, the infection will be able to spread from the gums to the ligaments and bone supporting your teeth.
Dentists treat gingivitis by cleaning your teeth to remove plaque as well as prescribing special mouthwashes or topical treatments while treatment for gum disease involves more serious action. Treatment for gum disease may include antibiotics and antimicrobials, deep scaling of the root surface, removing infected gum tissue or extracting teeth. To avoid having to deal with these painful and inconvenient symptoms and treatments, it is important that you catch the disease in its early stages.
Prevention Begins At Home
Brushing every day does more than just keep your teeth white. Good dental health is also the key to prevent gum disease. Our mouths are full of bacteria, which can form a sticky, colorless plaque on your teeth. Brushing and flossing help rid your mouth of plaque, but when plaque is not removed it can harden, forming a tartar that routine brushing doesn't clean. Only a cleaning from your Winchester dentist can remove the tartar.
Regular dental exams are necessary to remove tartar and detect early signs of periodontal disease, but you also play an important part in preventing tartar from forming. Here are some simple measures you can take to keep your teeth healthy:
*Brush your teeth at least twice per day
*Floss every day
*See your dentist in Winchesterroutinely for check ups and professional cleanings
*Don't smoke as this will harm your gums
*Eat a nutritionally balanced diet low in sugars
The most important way to prevent gingivitis and later stages of gum disease is to maintain good oral hygiene. Choosing the correct toothbrush is also important for gum disease prevention. Softer brushes are less likely to injure your gums and electric toothbrushes tend to promote better brushing habits.
To learn more about preventing periodontal disease or to schedule an appointment, contact your dentist in Winchester as soon as you can.
