Understanding what gum disease is, as well as how it can be prevented, is something every dental patient needs to do so they are not diagnosed with this all-too-common dental disease. Every time a patient goes to a dental appointment, they should feel free to ask the dentist any questions they have, as education is the key to good oral health.
Choosing a general dentist
Choosing the right dentist is important for preventing gum disease. When dental patients are happy with their dentist, they are more likely to make regular appointments. Even though prevention is ideal, which requires patients to make regular dental check-up appointments, there are some patients who are still in need of gum disease treatment. The stage of the disease will determine the type of treatment needed, e.g., scaling and planing, periodontal surgery.
3 Tips for preventing gum disease
There are some tips that patients can follow in order to help themselves from being diagnosed with any stage of gum disease, some of which are listed below. Brushing one’s teeth twice a day and flossing one’s teeth once a day are not listed, as these are two basic oral care habits that need to be performed every day.
1. Use a fluoride toothpaste and a therapeutic mouthwash
Fluoride toothpaste supports healthy gums. This makes it a good idea to use a fluoride toothpaste that has been approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). There are many different options available nowadays when it comes to choosing a toothpaste that has fluoride in it, including toothpaste that freshens breath and whitens teeth. Using a therapeutic mouthwash can help reduce one's chances of being diagnosed with gingivitis, as well as help remove any food particles in the mouth that might have been missed when brushing.
2. Stop smoking
Smoking goes hand in hand with gum disease, making it a good idea for anyone who smokes to stop smoking if they want to avoid being diagnosed with gum disease. Smoking also weakens one’s immune system, making it harder for them to fight off a gum disease infection, as well as making it harder for them to heal once they have undergone dental treatment to address the gum disease.
3. Make regular check-up appointments
This tip is one of the more important, as making regular appointments for dental cleanings is ideal when it comes to addressing gum disease in its earliest stages. For those who think that if they brush their teeth well and floss every day they do not have to make regular dental check-up appointments, it is important to understand that undergoing professional dental cleanings is the only way to remove built-up tartar. When it comes to how often one needs to make regular dental appointments, they need to ask their dentist, as everyone requires their own dental schedule, e.g., six months, nine months, 12 months.
Do you have gum disease?
While some dental patients find it easy to keep gum disease at bay, many others find it difficult. This makes it a good idea for anyone who is trying to prevent gum disease or currently battling gum disease to make regular dental appointments. The above tips for preventing gum disease will be beneficial for all dental patients, as the better the oral care, the healthier one’s mouth will be.
Request an appointment or call Woodside Dental Care at (718) 682-7559 for an appointment in our Queens office.