5 Steps For Avoiding Gum Disease

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Periodontal disease is a widespread issue, one impacting millions in the United States. For some, the disease reaches the advanced stage, known as periodontitis. Soon, adult tooth loss follows and your smile’s health and appearance suffers. However, one can take a few steps to help prevent periodontal disease. Let’s look at what our Omaha, NE, patients can do to avoid periodontal problems.

Preventing Periodontal Disease

  1. Brush Daily: How often do you brush your teeth? We suggest twice a day, and for no less than two minutes each time. You should use a toothbrush with soft bristles, which reduces the chances of inadvertently damaging enamel if you brush too hard. You also need to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride. These actions help remove food particles, decreasing the severity of plaque buildup, a bacterial byproduct that could inflame your gum tissue.
  2. Floss Before Bed: While brushing is important, flossing is absolutely vital. When you floss, you remove the bits of food stuck between your teeth. Bacteria no longer has the chance to break down these particles and create plaque buildup. You should floss up and down each side of every tooth, dipping below the gum line in a “c” motion, which helps remove trapped food particles.
  3. Don’t Smoke: Did you know that smoking and tobacco use can exacerbate periodontal disease? When you use tobacco products, this may make the onset of periodontitis more likely. The advanced stage of gum disease, this actually dissolves the tissues connecting the teeth and gums, leading to adult tooth loss.
  4. Have Your Teeth Cleaned: Every six months you should see your dentist for a dental cleaning. Brushing and flossing help reduce plaque buildup, but only a professional cleaning actually removes all plaque from your teeth. The procedure only takes a few minutes to complete and helps protect the health and stability of your smile. If you have high risk factors for gum disease, then we may suggest a visit every three to four months.
  5. Don’t Ignore Changes to Your Gums: If you notice your gums begin to appear redder than usual, or feel sore and bleed easily, then let us know. These are common warning signs of gingivitis and the early stages of gum disease. We may be able to reverse gingivitis and manage gum disease with a scaling and root planing, followed by regular cleaning visits.

Pacific Hills Dental Protect Gum Health

At Pacific Hills Dental, we help ensure healthy gums and prevent the onset of periodontal disease. Talk to our team about maintaining gum health. To make an appointment for yourself or for a family member, call our Omaha, NE, dental office today at (402) 330-2243. We proudly treat individuals in Omaha, NE, and all of the surrounding areas, including Papillion, Elkhorn, and Millard.