Even if you don’t yet have it, knowing how to prevent gum disease is important to preserving your healthy, beautiful smile. Knowing what the disease looks like will help you spot its presence early. Likewise, knowing that gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss will help you understand the importance of seeking immediate treatment. What you should know about gum disease above all else, however, is that you can prevent and properly control it by practicing a good hygiene routine, complete with regular dental checkups and cleanings.
What is It?
Gum disease is many things to many people. As gingivitis, it’s an early, and irritating, bacterial infection in your gums, and generates gum bleeding, swelling, and redness. As fully-developed gum disease, it’s a condition that destroys your gum tissues that surround your teeth roots. As periodontitis, severe gum disease continues its destructive path by infecting the jawbone that supports your teeth. Regardless of the stage that it’s in, however, gum disease is a serious threat to the oral health of anyone who has it, or is at risk of developing it in the near future.
Steps to Prevent Gum Disease
- The bacteria that infect your gums naturally inhabit your mouth, and most of them can be found in dental plaque. Brushing and flossing the plaque from your teeth, especially along your gum line, is vital to preventing gum infection and disease.
- Be vigilant. Your gums might not hurt, or even feel sensitive, but if they appear swollen and red, or they bleed when you brush and floss, then your gums are likely in trouble and should be treated immediately.
- If we notice that your gums are in trouble during your routine checkup, we may recommend a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, to dislodge bacteria from the tooth roots under your gums. For increased protection, we can prescribe an antibacterial mouthrinse to combat the infection; use it as directed, for as long as directed, to prevent gum disease from flaring.
ABOUT YOUR NORTH RICHLAND HILLS DENTIST:
With over 25 years of professional experience, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler and his caring team proudly provide exceptional preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatment to patients and their families across Dallas/Ft. Worth, including North Richland Hills, Denton, the Mid-cities, Southlake, and all surrounding communities. We also have extensive experience helping patients find relief from painful TMJ disorders (various forms of jaw dysfunction). To schedule an appointment with Dr. Huffstutler, contact our office today by calling 817-918-3038.