5 Steps to Preventing Gum Disease and the Importance of Doing So

It happens to all of us from time to time. We’re at the sink brushing our teeth, and when we spit, we notice a little blood. At first, we think it's no big deal and chalk it up to brushing too rigorously, and then we look into the mirror to check if our gums are red and bleeding.

Bleeding and redness at the gumline are symptoms of gum disease, but it isn’t inevitable that you have gum disease, according to Ginger Rome, DDS, at The Dentists at North Cypress in Houston, Texas. More importantly, if you have gum disease, it doesn't mean you can’t stop the condition in its tracks. 

In this blog, Dr. Rome shares her insights on what gum disease is, how to prevent it, and why healthy gums are essential to your overall health.

Gum disease explained

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common oral issue that an infection triggers, which causes inflammation of gum tissue.  Over 42% of adults age 30 and older have some form of gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease progresses through three stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis.

In advanced stages, the effects of gum disease are irreversible and may threaten the integrity of your gum’s ability to anchor your teeth. The leading cause of tooth loss for adults is gum disease.

The way it plays out is plaque builds up along the gum line. Harmful bacteria and toxins from plaque cause inflammation and damage your gums to where they can no longer keep a firm grip around your teeth. However, the impact of gum disease is considerably bigger.

The infection may spread to other areas of your mouth and parts of your body if gum disease progresses to periodontitis and advanced periodontitis, increasing the risk of developing life-threatening medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. 

The good news is there are many things you can do to prevent gum disease from happening in the first place. The following are five steps to prevent gum disease:

1. Button up your at-home oral hygiene routine

Since the origin of gum disease is uncontrolled plaque build-up, one of the best steps to take to prevent gum disease is to practice a rigorous at-home oral care routine. Routine flossing and brushing are effective at keeping plaque build-up at bay. 

Floss before you brush at least once a day. Flossing first helps rid your teeth of any lingering food particles and clears a path for the fluoride in your toothpaste, making brushing more effective. Water flossers are a good choice if you find string flossing difficult.

2. Schedule regular preventative care visits

Even the best brushers and flossers need extra help to kick plaque build-up to the curb, especially build-up below the gumline. Preventative care includes a comprehensive oral exam and professional dental cleanings. Both benefit your oral health when you have appointments twice a year with your provider. 

Keep in mind that these appointments feature measuring the pockets between your teeth and gums, which is a great way to discover potential gum disease issues.  

3. Remove risk factors from the equation

Did you know that teeth grinding or clenching your teeth, stress, and medicines that trigger dry mouth can increase your chances of developing gum disease? If any of these issues affect you, talk to your provider about ways to treat them or manage them.

4. Eat a balanced, healthy diet

Similarly, your food choices can make you more prone to developing gum disease. Eating a balanced diet keeps your immune system in tip-top shape, which boosts your body’s ability to resist infections like the ones created by gum disease.

5. Avoid all tobacco products

Tobacco use in all its forms increases your risk of developing gum disease. The more you smoke or use tobacco products, the more tartar builds up on your teeth and the higher the risk for gum disease. Unfortunately, tobacco users who already have gum disease and don’t quit have an uphill battle when it comes to treatment, as tobacco use makes gum disease treatment less effective.

If you have gum disease and would like to learn more, contact The Dentists at North Cypress by calling us today or scheduling an appointment online.