Gum Disease and How to Prevent It
Gum disease is one of the most preventable illnesses. Commonly called gingivitis or periodontitis, gum disease is very common, especially in older dental patients and those who do not practice regular oral hygiene. Our Los Angeles dentist wants you to know how easy it is to prevent gum disease with proper care.
Gingivitis is actually an inflammation of the gums and is the first sign of gum disease. The gums become red and puffy and may bleed if you brush too hard with a firm toothbrush. If left untreated, gingivitis can deteriorate into periodontitis, in which plaque has caused problems under the gumline and allowed decay to enter the toothís soft root. Left untreated, periodontitis will lead to tooth loss.
Periodontal treatment for advanced cases is not pleasant. It can involve scaling and root planing or even the removal of compromised teeth and the surgical placement of dental implants. In order to avoid these consequences, daily oral attention is vital.
You should brush your teeth every day with ahigh-quality fluoride toothpaste. You should spend 15 to 20 seconds per tooth and thoroughly brush all surfaces of the tooth. After brushing, flossing between each tooth will remove any leftover plaque which could harden into tartar and cause problems.
Talk to our periodontist today about these and other ways to prevent gum disease and keep your teeth healthy. The time you spend on prevention will more than repay you when you avoid the more difficult treatments of advanced tooth decay and gum disease.