What Helps Gum Disease?
Unfortunately, neglect of regular care for your tooth can have negative effects. One of them being gum disease. The good news is…it’s preventable! Here we have outlined the simple work you can put into your dental health on a daily and annual basis that will help you from ever having to come in contact with this disease.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease starts when plaque builds up under and along the gum line. Plaque is a sticky film-like substance that’s filled with bacteria. It can cause infections that hurt the gum and bone, leading to gum disease and tooth decay. Plaque also can cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Gingivitis causes your gums to become:
- inflamed
- tender
- red
- swollen
- prone to bleeding
Another common symptom in gum disease is receding gum. When this happens, your teeth look longer. If you notice sores in your mouth or pus in between your gums and teeth, then chances are you may have gum disease. Fortunately, since the bone and tissue holding the teeth in place aren’t impacted, this damage is reversible.
6 Ways to Keep Your Gums Healthy
The only way to cure gum disease is to seek professional treatment. However, to help lessen your symptoms and reduce the chances of it advancing, there are things you can do at home.
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Floss
Guide the floss between your teeth using a gentle rubbing motion. Never snap the floss into the gums. When the floss reaches the gum line, curve it into a C shape against one tooth. Gently slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth.
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See your dentist for regular dental cleaning
Regular dental visits are important because they help to keep your teeth and gums healthy. During the dental check-up, your dental professional will check your overall oral health for any trouble areas. During the cleaning, your dental professional will remove any plaque and tartar buildup and may polish your teeth.
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Brush twice a day
Most dentists believe you should brush your teeth at least twice a day – once in the morning and once in the evening. This is important because, during the night, the formation of plaque is mostly undisturbed. … Bacteria feast on food particles, particularly sugar, releasing by-products that cause tooth decay.
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Don’t smoke, and if you do…quit
Researchers found smokers with gum disease who quit smoking experienced a significant improvement in their gum disease within one year of quitting compared with those who kept smoking.
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Use fluoride toothpaste
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel and increasing the rate of the demineralization process. The new enamel crystals that form are harder, larger and more resistant to acid. Tooth enamel is hard yet porous. Plaque on the surface of your teeth can produce acids that seep into the pores (rods) of the enamel and break down its internal structure.
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Use a therapeutic mouthwash
In addition to freshening breath and masking bad breath the way that cosmetic oral mouthwashes do, specialty therapeutic oral rinses are formulated with active ingredients that help prevent or treat specific oral health conditions.
Do gum disease treatments work?
Yes! 85% of patients who get diagnosed at an early stage will see an improvement quickly. Treatment works best before there is severe damage to the tissue that attaches the teeth to the bone. Treatments also work better when teeth are not missing.