- Brendan Blanchard
- May 26, 2018
- 8:43 am
- No Comments
Gum disease can really mess up your day and even your life if left untreated. It’s insidious enough that it can do some serious damage without you even noticing. It’s just another reason why it’s often referred to as the silent killer by your periodontist in Washington D.C. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to fight back and your periodontist is the first to equip you with the knowledge you need.
Preventing periodontal disease is mostly done at home, but your doctor plays their part as well. Here are the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family members from ever having to deal with it.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease is an infection of the connective tissues in your gums that holds your teeth in place. When you consume food and fail to clean your mouth over time, a sticky material known as plaque begins to form on teeth and harden.
This hardened form of plaque, known as tartar, causes teeth to decay and bacteria to spread to the connective tissue. In the more advanced stages of periodontal disease, your gums will begin to recede from your teeth, exposing oral bacteria and allowing it to travel to other parts of the body via your bloodstream.
Brushing Twice a Day
Periodontal disease is an infection of the connective tissues in your gums that holds your teeth in place. When you consume food and fail to clean your mouth over time, a sticky material known as plaque begins to form on teeth and harden.
This hardened form of plaque, known as tartar, causes teeth to decay and bacteria to spread to the connective tissue. In the more advanced stages of periodontal disease, your gums will begin to recede from your teeth, exposing oral bacteria and allowing it to travel to other parts of the body via your bloodstream.
Flossing Once a Day
The best time to floss is right before bed as this prevent plaque, food debris, and bacteria from settling on your teeth and gums overnight. Either pull out 12 to 18 inches of floss so you can wrap it around you fingers, use floss picks, or buy a floss holder for easier, handheld use. Flossing is key to removing plaque from the sides of teeth that regular brushing misses.
Visiting Your Periodontist
The hard-to-reach places of the mouth can easily accumulate tartar. Only a professional can clean this hardened plaque, so be sure to visit your periodontist every six months. Not only can they catch early signs of gum disease before it advances, they can perform scaling and root planing to treat current gum disease you may have.
Avoiding Tobacco
In 2018, most people realize that smoking increases your chances of gum disease. However, many people still don’t realize that smokeless tobacco, hookah, and other forms of tobacco are just as capable of doing damage as cigarettes. Remove all of these from your life if you want to make a difference in your oral health as well as your overall health.
Eating a Balanced Diet
Proper oral care isn’t just about maintenance in the bathroom. It’s also about eating foods that promote gum health. This includes:
- Onions
- Leafy Greens
- Peppers and Citrus Fruits
- Shiitake Mushrooms
- Dairy Products
- Celery, Apples, Carrots
- Green Tea
Want to learn more about preventing periodontal disease from your periodontist in Washington D.C? Schedule an appointment today and take the initiative to fight gum disease for life!
