Everyone should be well aware of the risk factors for a predisposition for periodontal disease. Brushing your teeth removes plaque and helps prevent periodontitis, but there are only so many precautions we can take regarding periodontal gum disease prevention and treatment without consulting a professional.
Good oral hygiene is essential for a well-maintained immune system and preventing tooth loss or the deterioration of gum tissue. Understanding how to prevent periodontal gum disease is a significant part of oral health, and even if you require professional intervention, it's not too late to start.
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling removes tartar and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and under your gums. Your dentist will often use a laser, manual instruments, or an ultrasonic device to scale your teeth and gums.
Root planing smooths the surfaces of the roots of your teeth, preventing future bacterial buildup and removing any byproducts contributing to the delay of gum healing.
Brushing and Flossing
Brush your teeth twice a day, when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed at night. If you can, try to brush after meals as well. Brushing often helps keep your teeth clear of any leftover food particles that can contribute to bacterial buildup.
Floss once per day, preferably at bedtime, with an interdental pick, water pick, or string floss. Flossing helps to remove the food, tartar, and plaque that can accumulate between the teeth.
Brushing is fantastic, and more than necessary to prevent tooth and gum issues, but many toothbrushes fail to clean between teeth effectively. Proper flossing fixes this problem, and removes particles that you may not feel hiding between your teeth.
Antimicrobial Mouthwash
Have a chat with your dental hygienist or dentist about what type of mouthwash is best for you. Many dental professionals will suggest an antimicrobial mouthwash to help keep the bacteria and germs that contribute to gum disease at bay. If you're unsure which mouthwash to use, ask your doctor, and they'll be happy to provide you with a list.
Balanced Diet
Eating well is a good idea all around. A healthy, balanced diet boosts your immune system, fuels your body, and reduces your chances of developing gum disease. Plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains should be on your daily menu while steering clear of anything processed or full of added sugars.
Reduce or Eliminate Smoking
Smoking is a major contributor to gum disease, so if you smoke, try to quit or reduce it considerably. Smoking not only stains your teeth, but research shows it interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells.
Antibiotics
Oral and topical antibiotics are essential for reducing infection. Antibiotics are necessary to eliminate any oral bacterial infections that fuel periodontal disease in many cases.
On the other hand, if you have advancing gum disease, you may require more invasive procedures.
Soft Tissue Grafts
On occasion, receding gum lines result from periodontal disease, and they allow it to progress by creating pockets for bacteria to thrive. Soft tissue grafts will cover these pockets using tissue from the top of your mouth.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
Another way to reduce the pockets caused by receding gums is to make an incision and lift the actual gum back into place to cover the pocket. Once healed, these places are much easier to clean, preventing the reemergence of gum disease.
Bone Grafting and Guided Tissue Regeneration
Performed when periodontal disease destroys the bone surrounding your tooth root, bone grafting helps prevent tooth loss by keeping your tooth in place, and it will allow your bone to regrow as well.
Guided Tissue Regeneration is a bit like bone grafting, but instead of real or synthetic bone, your dentist will place a piece of fabric between your tooth and bone. This biocompatible fabric keeps unwanted bacteria from entering the area, promotes healing, and allows natural bone regrowth.
Oral Hygiene and Preventing Periodontal Disease
Lifestyle changes, such as brushing, flossing and eating well, are the best places to start concerning the prevention of periodontal disease. Ensure that you stay on track with regular dental cleanings. If the signs of gum disease appear or advance further, know that effective surgical and non-surgical treatments are available.
