Everyone wants their oral health to be at its absolute best. That’s why terms like gingivitis and periodontitis, which are varying degrees of gum disease, sound so intimidating. Did you know it’s actually possible to prevent gum disease? Once you speak with your Columbus, MS dentist about what periodontitis is and how to prevent it, you’ll feel much better about battling this incredibly prevalent disease. Here’s a quick overview of steps you can start taking right now.
What is Periodontitis?
Periodontitis is an advanced form of gum disease that affects nearly half of US adults. It is an infection of the soft tissues and bone surrounding your teeth that can lead to loose teeth or actual tooth loss.
Symptoms often include red or pink, swollen gums, gums that are sensitive to pressure, easy bleeding of the gums, receding gum lines, and changes in bite or tooth stability. Gum disease can also cause bad breath and eventually lead to tooth loss.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
While there are some obvious means of gum disease prevention, there are a couple more that aren’t quite as evident. These five measures can help you in your fight against periodontitis.
- Brush at least twice a day – This is something we’ve all been told by our dentists numerous times. Brushing helps remove plaque, left behind food, and bacteria.
- Floss daily – Dental floss makes it into those hard to reach crevices your toothbrush can’t quite reach, removing additional gum disease-causing material.
- Eat a balanced diet – We all know that food plays an essential part in our overall health, but it is even more critical to our oral care. Eating healthy foods that nurture your body and cutting back on high sugar items can significantly help in gum disease prevention.
- Stop smoking – Smoking is habit everyone knows can affect lung and heart health, but did you know it can also contribute to gum disease? This habit is one that should be kicked to eliminate further risk.
- Visit your dentist regularly – It is recommended to visit the dentist at least twice a year. While conducting your regular exam, your dental health professional will check for signs of gum disease and help you take steps to prevent further spread and reverse symptoms of periodontitis.
Contact us for Periodontal Treatment
Those seeking gum disease prevention in Columbus, MS have a valuable resource in the dental professionals at Porter, Singley, and Crane Family Dentistry. They know the signs of gum disease to look for and how to get you on the track to healthy gums in no time. Contact us today to determine the next steps for your oral health care.