If you're struggling with gum disease, it's important to know that there are actions you can take to boost your oral health. Below are five tips for beating gum disease.
Brush Your Teeth Regularly
A key thing you can do to prevent gum disease is to brush your teeth regularly. Brushing helps remove plaque, a sticky substance that clings to your teeth. Plaque can lead to gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. When brushing your teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle circular motions, being sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the front, back, and top. It would help if you also flossed daily to get rid of any food particles between your teeth.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Another important step in preventing gum disease is attending a dental office regularly for professional cleanings and checkups. During a professional cleaning, your dentist or dental hygienist will remove any plaque or tartar (hardened plaque) from your teeth. This helps prevent the progression of gum disease. Professional cleanings also help remove any staining or discolouration on your teeth.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
In addition to brushing and flossing regularly, there are other things you can do to practice good oral hygiene and prevent gum disease. These include using an antibacterial mouthwash, avoiding tobacco products, eating a healthy diet, and controlling your diabetes. All of these things contribute to a healthier mouth and can help prevent gum disease.
Use Medications as Directed
If you've been diagnosed with gum disease, your dentist may prescribe medication to help treat it. This sort of medication usually comes in the form of mouthwash or toothpaste. You must follow the directions on the label carefully and use the medication as directed. Doing so will help ensure that the medicine effectively treats your gum disease.
Consider Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be the only way to treat gum disease. This usually only occurs in severe cases where other treatment options have failed. Dental gum disease surgery can include flap surgery, bone grafting, or tissue regeneration. If surgery is recommended, be sure to ask your dentist about all the risks and benefits involved so that you can decide whether it's right for you.
Conclusion
By brushing and flossing regularly, visiting your dentist, and practising good oral hygiene, you can help keep your gums healthy. If you would like more information, contact a local dentist today.
Share24 October 2022
As a retired dentist, I work with charities which visit developing countries and educate children about dental care. It gives me great satisfaction to revisit these communities and see how proud the children are of their efforts. I am acutely aware that good dental hygiene can help prevent a range of serious conditions when these children become older. I started this blog because it greatly distresses me that many people in Australia do not seem to care for their teeth as much as children in these poor communities. This is happening despite ready access to items like toothbrushes and toothpaste which are luxuries in the places I visit. It is my hope that this blog encourages you not to take dental health for granted. My greatest wish is that you can be as inspired as the children I see in my charity work. Please read on and enjoy.
