Five Tips For Preventing Gum Disease

2 March 2017
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Gum disease, if left untreated, can turn into a serious matter. The condition can lead to tooth loss and increase your risk of other health problems like heart disease. That is why it is so important to take excellent care of your gums. Here are five helpful tips for preventing gum disease:

Increase Your Vitamin C Intake

One thing you can do to decrease your risk of gum disease is to include more vitamin C in your diet. This vitamin can boost you immune system and prevent infections in various parts of you body, including your gums. There are plenty of different foods that are packed with vitamin C, including oranges, papaya, strawberries, kiwis, and bell peppers.

Use an Electric Toothbrush

If you do not already use an electric toothbrush, it may be time to invest in one. It does a better job at removing all the plaque underneath your gum line. An electric toothbrush is also much gentler than a standard toothbrush, so you do not have to worry about it scratching your gums.

Clean Your Tongue

Even if you brush and floss your teeth daily, you still might not be removing all the bacteria from your mouth. It turns out that a lot of plaque and food particles can accumulate on your tongue throughout the day. If you do not remove the gunk off your tongue, it can transfer to your gums. If you use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue every morning, you can prevent this problem.

Do Not Ignore Signs of Gum Disease

It is important to pay attention to the signs of gum disease. If your gums look redder or more inflamed than usual or if there is blood on your toothbrush, you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible.

Do Not Skip Dental Cleanings

Even if your teeth and gums seem perfectly healthy, you should not skip your six month dental cleanings. During these cleanings, your dental hygienist will use advanced tools to get rid of tartar that has built up underneath your gum line. If you never skip a cleaning, you can reduce your risk of developing gum disease.

The idea of getting diagnosed with gum disease can be scary, but it does not have to happen to you. If you take good care of your oral health, you can dramatically reduce your risk of developing this oral health condition. For more information, contact local professionals like Bradley T Piotrowski DDS MSD LLC.