Gum disease, or periodontal disease, affects thousands of people every year. It is a very common condition. In fact, many people have gum disease without even realizing it simply because they haven’t visited a dentist and are unaware of the symptoms. It is important for everyone to practice good oral health in order to prevent gum disease. Here are some things you can do at home that will help.
Daily Teeth Cleaning
Your daily cleaning of your teeth is not just for your teeth themselves, it is also to keep your gums healthy. When you brush, you should be moving the brush down away from the gum to get all of the debris that gets stuck just under the gum line. When you floss, you should be working the string between your teeth starting at the gum and going downward in a C motion. You should also be using either a fluoridated toothpaste or a fluoridated mouthwash.
Therapeutic Mouthwash
Most of the popular mouthwashes are designed purely for their ability to rid you of bad breath. These mouthwashes are doing next to nothing to clean your mouth, and they are certainly doing nothing for your gum health. Therapeutic mouthwashes are labeled as such and recommended by the American Dental Association.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Your diet has a lot to do with your oral health. It is important that you maintain a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, protein, little fat, and few sugars. This will help you maintain a cleaner, healthier mouth, including preventing gum disease.
When you follow these tips on a daily basis, you will be able to prevent gum disease and improve your gum health. If your gums are red, swollen, or bleeding, you already have gum disease and should make an appointment with us today.
