How to Prevent Periodontal Disease

The effects of periodontal disease can be devastating for your overall health. When plaque builds up between your gums and teeth, it creates gum inflammation known as gingivitis. When untreated, the inflammation can increase in severity, and can lead to receding gums or tooth loss. If you’re concerned about your current gum health, contact a dentist who specializes in periodontal disease near Peoria. If your teeth are presently healthy, stick to a few basic habits that will protect tooth enamel and allow you to keep your healthy smile.

Brush your Teeth

The simplest method available to protect mouth health is to brush your teeth and tongue after meals. The habit will help you remove plaque and debris from food, and has the added benefit of freshening your breath.

Floss

Brushing alone can’t get in all the thin crevices and tight spaces between your teeth. When you floss once a day, you’ll eliminate buildup of plaque and food between your teeth that can’t be reached any other way.

Use Mouthwash

Reaching every rounded angle in your mouth with a toothbrush or floss isn’t possible. That’s why rinsing with mouthwash is a necessary third step for clearing away additional food residue and plaque. By flushing out more buildup, you increase the chances that you will protect tooth enamel and avoid gum inflammation.

Understand and Minimize your Risk

As you age, the risk for gum disease unavoidably increases. Other risk factors such as diet and smoking can be controlled with personal lifestyle changes, although genetics is the luck of the draw. Anyone who has one or more factors that increase risk should make an appointment with a dental professional.

Visit a Periodontist

Taking preventative measures is an important step to avoiding the need for periodontal disease treatment. An annual comprehensive periodontal evaluation (CPE) will assess symptoms and risk factors that might point to the early stages of gum disease. During the exam, a dental professional will view your teeth, gums, bite, plaque level and bone structure, and discuss your external risk factors.