Periodontal Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard, CA
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Peridontal Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard, CA

PERIODONTAL (GUM) DISEASE
 PREVENTION

Gum Disease Prevention Oxnard, CA

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a serious health concern in addition to an inconvenience. Luckily, it is not only treatable but preventable, and See Me Smile Dental of Oxnard is here to help you learn how you can prevent it and keep your smile healthy and sparkling.

Can Gum Disease Be Prevented?

Periodontal disease is completely preventable with proper oral hygiene and good dental care. Some people may be more susceptible to the condition than others, but even they can prevent it with extra precautions. Once it has developed, it is important to treat gum disease to prevent it from progressing.

Why Is It Important to Prevent Periodontal Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard, CA

Why Is It Important to Prevent Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease has significant impacts on oral and overall health. It is a progressive disease that will lead to tooth loss if not treated. It can also cause respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, and even diabetes. While periodontal disease can be successfully treated and sometimes reversed, it is much better to prevent it from developing in the first place.

What Are the Symptoms of Periodontal Disease?

Gum disease has many symptoms. The most common in the early stages of the disease are red and tender gums that may bleed after brushing and flossing. As the disease progresses, gums recede and develop pockets full of bacteria. Halitosis (bad breath) may become chronic. Teeth become increasingly sensitive and painful. Eventually, they begin to loosen in their sockets.

How Is Gum Disease Treated?

The treatment for gum disease depends on how severe the disease is. Treatment usually starts with a deep cleaning, more formally known as a scaling and root planing. Severe cases of the disease may require surgery or even tooth extractions. In the most severe cases, patients may need to have all of their teeth removed.

What Are the Risk Factors for Developing Gum Disease?

The most important risk factor for developing periodontal disease is poor oral hygiene. Proper brushing and flossing are the foundation of oral health, and without that, you are much more likely to develop periodontal disease. Lack of proper dental care is another risk factor.

There are other risk factors that can also increase your risk of developing gum disease. Genetics, certain medications, some medical conditions, smoking, and teeth grinding are among the issues that can increase your risk for this condition.

How Is Gum Disease Treated See Me Smile Dental Oxnard, CA
Why Does Having Diabetes Increase a Person’s Risk for Periodontal Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard CA

Why Does Having Diabetes Increase a Person’s Risk for Periodontal Disease?

Diabetes impacts every system in your body, and your mouth is no exception. Not only are people with diabetes more susceptible to developing infections in general, but unstable or high blood sugar provides an ideal environment for bacteria to breed in your mouth. These bacteria can then cause gum disease.

What Role Does Genetics Play in Developing Gum Disease?

Genetics is one of the biggest risk factors for developing gum disease. Those with a genetic predisposition to develop periodontal disease are up to 6 times more likely than the average person to end up developing the disease. The American Academy of Periodontology estimates that nearly 1 in 3 Americans have this genetic predisposition.

Why Does Smoking Increase the Risk of Developing Periodontal Disease?

Smoking, whether nicotine or other substances, dries out the mouth and makes it a better medium for the growth of the bacteria that lead to gum disease. This is one of the reasons, however researchers believe there are more and are still working on the issue.

Can Teeth Grinding Increase the Risk of Periodontal Disease?

Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching, can lead to physical damage to your teeth and gums, which makes you more likely to develop gum disease. Luckily, it can be treated. If you have this habit, please speak to your provider in the Oxnard office to find out your options.

What Illnesses Increase the Risk of Gum Disease?

Unfortunately, some medical conditions increase the odds of developing periodontal disease. Diabetes is one of the most common of them, but HIV, cancer, and other illnesses that affect the immune system also raise the risk of gum disease.

Why Does Smoking Increase the Risk of Developing Periodontal Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard CA
What’s the Most Important Thing I Can Do to Prevent Gum Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard CA

What’s the Most Important Thing I Can Do to Prevent Gum Disease?

You must practice good oral hygiene if you want to avoid developing periodontal disease. This means that you need to brush properly at least twice a day, use a good mouthwash, and floss once a day.

It is also important that you come into the Oxnard office for your twice-yearly professional cleanings and exam. This will allow us to remove any plaque that has accumulated in areas that can’t be removed by brushing and flossing. It will also allow us to catch any developing periodontal disease early when it can still be reversed.

If you have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease, you may need to come in for professional cleanings more than twice per year. You might need three or four cleanings per year to prevent the development of gum disease.

How Should I Brush My Teeth to Prevent Periodontal Disease?

It is important that you do not just brush, but brush properly in order to keep your teeth healthy and prevent gum disease. The staff here in the Oxnard office will be happy to answer any questions you have about proper brushing and even provide demonstrations. In the meantime, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Use the Right Brush

Not all toothbrushes are equally good for brushing. You should pick a manual brush with soft bristles or an electric toothbrush with a small, angled head. Make certain that any toothbrush you buy has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval on the package.

Change It Often

You should change your toothbrush, or the toothbrush head if you use an electric toothbrush, every three months and after any illness.

How Should I Brush My Teeth to Prevent Periodontal Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard CA
What’s the Most Important Thing I Can Do to Prevent Gum Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard CA

How Long to Brush

You should brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes each time you brush. You need to spend at least 30 seconds on each quadrant of your mouth. An advantage of electric toothbrushes is that they usually have a timer to help you brush for the proper amount of time.

How To Brush

Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently brush your teeth and gums with a small circular motion. Do not press too hard or you can damage your teeth and gums.

Where To Brush

Brush all of your teeth on both the front and back sides. Be sure to get your chewing surfaces as well. Gently brush the gum line. Finally, brush your tongue to get rid of food and bacteria buildup.

How Often to Brush

Ideally, you would brush after every meal for the best results. This is not practical for many people, however, so you should at least brush twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening.

How Often Should I Floss to Prevent Gum Disease?

You should floss every day to prevent periodontal disease. You can use regular string floss, floss picks, or a water flosser (a WaterPik). The most important thing is that you floss.

Should I Use Mouthwash?

You should use mouthwash to improve your chances of avoiding gum disease. Choose an antibacterial mouthwash and use it at least once per day. Swish it around your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out.

How Often Should I Floss to Prevent Gum Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard CA
Is There Anything Else I Can Do to Prevent Gum Disease See Me Smile Dental Oxnard CA

Is There Anything Else I Can Do to Prevent Gum Disease?

While good oral hygiene and visiting our office are the primary methods of preventing gum disease, you can also make some lifestyle adjustments to reduce your risk. For example, reducing the amount of sugar in your diet and eliminating all sugary drinks will greatly reduce your risk of both periodontal disease and tooth decay. The bacteria that cause gum disease eat sugar, after all.

Eating a better diet in general will also lead to a lower risk of gum disease. Reducing your stress levels will help too. Finally, stop smoking and the use of all tobacco products to reduce your risk further.

Do You Want a Healthier Smile?

Get started by calling (805) 716-6890 and making a new patient appointment with See Me Smile Dental of Oxnard today!

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