The Tips and Tricks for Preventing Gum Disease

If you want a top-notch oral health and smile, then it’s important to take good care of your teeth and gums. One way to do that is to do all you can to prevent gum disease.

Gum disease is a serious and dangerous dental issue that begins when the plaque on your smile is left untreated. As time passes, it begins to irritate and infect your gums, making them red and swollen. Then, the plaque turns into tartar, which is a bacterial-rich substance that is very dangerous. The tartar can make the gums recede from the base of your teeth, exposing the roots and causing pockets of infection. Eventually, the bacteria can reach the underlying bone and begin to deteriorate it, resulting in loose and lost teeth.

To help you prevent this disease as much as possible, our Smile Time Family Dentistry dental team strongly encourages you to do the following things:

–Brush your teeth: Brush your teeth twice a day, preferably every morning and every night. As you brush, make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and some type of fluoride toothpaste. Brush your teeth for two minutes each time, and do your best to scrub the inner, outer, and top surfaces of each tooth while you do so.

–Floss your smile: Flossing is tremendously important for the prevention of gum disease. This is because flossing can remove the plaque and bacteria from the crevices and hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. If these substances aren’t removed on a regular basis, they can severely infect the gums.

–Rinse your mouth: Rinse your mouth once a day with a beneficial mouthwash. For gum disease prevention, it’s best to use an antibacterial or anti-gingivitis mouthwash. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle as you rinse.

–Keep up on your six-month checkups: Don’t forget about your six-month checkups. These appointments are vital in the prevention of gum disease. The treatment involved is one of the only ways to completely remove the plaque and tartar from your smile. So, make sure you keep up with your routine cleanings and exams.

If you do these things, you’ll be on your way toward the healthiest smile and strongest oral health possible. For more details and information on ways to prevent gum disease in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, please call our office at 601-583-2000 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Wendy McCurdy. Our dental team is happy to help you in any way we can, and we look forward to your phone call!