How to Help Prevent Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease or "gum disease" is a very common condition of the oral cavity. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 80% of people exhibit signs of periodontal disease, making it a very common dental concern. Signs of periodontal disease include: red, sore gums, bleeding gums, halitosis (bad breath), and inflammation of the gums. Screening can be done at your dental visits to help determine if this is a concern for you. There are different stages of gum disease ranging from gingivitis to advanced periodontal disease. This article will discuss the things you can do to prevent this condition.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Brush at least twice a day. Be sure to use a soft toothbrush and angle your toothbrush bristles toward the gum line, so that you can feel the bristles as you brush. This is the most important area to get at when brushing. Use a gentle, circular motion, and be sure to spend a full two minutes brushing.

2. Floss each and every day. This is very important in the prevention of periodontal disease. Brushing does not clean in between your teeth which is why it is important to floss. The floss gets in between the teeth and removes and disturbs the plaque buildup that occurs here. Make sure you shape the floss in a "C" around each tooth and get under the gum well.

3. Visit your dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup. Removal of plaque and tartar buildup is important because this is what initially causes infection in the gums. Your dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar during your cleaning and also perform an assessment for gum disease.

4. Sometimes an anti-bacterial mouth rinse can help in addition to the above mentioned steps. A mouth rinse will not replace brushing or flossing.

5. Keep up on your visits with your physician as well. There is much evidence to support a link between periodontal disease and many medical conditions. It is important to be aware of any health conditions you may have that may put you at a higher risk for developing gum disease.

[mvalora]

on 9/24/2009 Good advice for preventing periodontal disease.