5 Ways to Prevent Gum Disease

5 Ways to Prevent Gum Disease

There are many ways that you can try to prevent gum disease in your mouth. Brushing your teeth, flossing, using mouthwash, and getting annual dental checks are essential to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Luckily though, gum disease doesn’t just happen overnight. Gum disease takes years to progress, so it is crucial to keep up on your oral hygiene. Our dental staff at Carmichael Dentistry came up with 5 ways to prevent gum disease and take care of your oral health correctly.

1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Gum disease is one of the leading causes of adult tooth loss. It begins with gingivitis, where the bacteria in plaque buildup causes the gums to become inflamed and bleed easily. During this early stage, no irreversible bone or tissue damage has occurred yet. Though left untreated, it will progress to periodontitis, where the inner layer of gum and bone pulls away from the teeth and creates pockets. Food particles and debris can form in these pockets and become infected. Ensuring that you clean your teeth regularly is vital to avoid gum disease. This includes brushing your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride twice a day, flossing once a day, and rinsing with antiseptic mouthwash 1-2 times a day.

2. Get More Vitamin C

Did you know that adding more vitamin c to your diet can help to prevent gum disease? Vitamin c deficiency is one of the leading causes of gum disease and has healing properties that can stop your gums from bleeding or swelling. Eating more fruits, like strawberry or kiwi, or even vitamin c supplements can resist gum disease. If you want to get your gums looked at, reach out to our staff at Carmichael Dentistry.

3. Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating a balanced diet doesn’t only improve your overall health, but it also improves your smile. Staying away from sugary foods and drinks, like candy or soda, which can lead to tooth decay, is essential to prevent gum disease. Stay on top of what you’re eating and schedule an appointment with one of our dentists at Carmichael Dentistry if you need to get your teeth or gums checked out!

4. Stay Hydrated

Saliva is one of the best natural defenses against dental plaque. Staying hydrated and drinking water to produce more saliva is the best way to maintain a healthy smile. Certain drinks, like coffee or alcohol, can dehydrate you and your mouth. It is essential to drink water regularly throughout the day to keep your body hydrated.

5. Schedule Teeth Cleanings

Scheduling regular teeth cleanings with our staff at Carmichael Dentistry is essential for a healthy mouth and smile. During teeth cleanings, our dentists will be able to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, as well as check for gum disease or any other mouth issues.

How Carmichael Dentistry Can Help You!

There are many different causes of gum disease, so it is vital to make sure that you stay on top of what you put into your mouth. We can promote reattachment of healthy gums and teeth, stop disease progression, and reduce swelling and infection risk. Our treatment options will depend on the disease’s stage. Whether you believe that you might have gum disease or are simply due for your routine check-up, Carmichael Dentistry is here to keep your dental health in check! Give us a call at (858) 484-2560 or click here to schedule an appointment today!