Gum disease is one of the most common dental concerns that we treat in our office. Many patients are unaware that bleeding gums, or gingivitis, is one of the earliest indicators of gum disease development. If you notice a small amount of blood in the sink after brushing or flossing your teeth, this is a good sign that you need to schedule your next dental appointment soon. Here are our three tips for preventing gum disease progression.
Brush and Floss Regularly
While this may seem like an obvious tip, it is perhaps the most important one. When under high amounts of stress during your daily life, it can be easy to forget about your oral hygiene routine and neglect your dental health. However, brushing and flossing at least twice a day every day is your mouth’s first line of defense against gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental concerns.
Maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine will ensure that bacteria and food residue do not fester on your dental structures long enough to harden into plaque and tartar. The longer residue remains untouched on your smile, the more likely it is that it will harden and cause irritation to your soft tissues. It’s important that you make it a habit to brush and floss your teeth once in the morning and once before bed.
Practice a Healthy Diet
Your diet directly affects your dental health. Practicing moderation when consuming overly chewy or sticky foods can help a lot when it comes to stopping gum disease progression. Gummy candies, starchy potato chips, and even sugary sodas are all known to cause serious dental damage. This is because the teeth damaging elements of these substances are encased in sticky residues which make them more easily attach to your dental structures.
The more difficult a substance is to remove from your teeth, the more likely it will lead to gum disease progression. Consider switching out some of these teeth damaging snacks with more smile-friendly ones. Snacks like cheeses, fruit smoothies, and assorted nuts are much easier on your smile and less likely to cause gum disease.
Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings
Even patients with the most thorough at-home oral hygiene routines may still find themselves struggling to fight off gum disease. This is why we recommend scheduling regular oral health and wellness visits with your trusted dentist, at least once every six months. At Frederick Center for Dentistry, we take your oral health and wellness visits seriously.
During these visits, our hygienists will clean your dental structures and remove any buildup that could potentially cause gum disease. Are you looking for a reliable family dentist in Frederick, MD? Our office is currently accepting appointments for new and returning patients. Please schedule an appointment online, and we look forward to seeing you soon.