Save this article
Use this article for free on your own website
Republish this article for free on your own website or blog. Or search or browse for more articles that your audience will appreciate. Huge choice available. Ideal for finding quality, free content. Read our publishers guide.
How To Stop Gum Disease
How do you know if you have gum disease? How do you stop gum disease? Healthy gums should look pink and firm, not red, swollen, or tender. Another sign is of gums pulling away from teeth and bad breath that won't go away. Because gum disease is usually painless and develops slowly, a person may not be aware that the infection exists.
How do you know if you have gum disease? How do you stop gum disease? Healthy gums should look pink and firm, not red, swollen, or tender. Another sign is of gums pulling away from teeth and bad breath that won’t go away. Because gum disease is usually painless and develops slowly, a person may not be aware that the infection exists.
You may think that gum disease is an older person’s condition but it is also a problem for more and more younger people. Teeth are supported by the gums and bone tissue. Once these are damaged or compromised in any way then teeth are likely to fall out or will have to be removed by the dentist. Generally, early detection can determine whether or a not a person can be cured with success.
Dental treatment will be necessary for even mild gingivitis and a visit is recmmended even if you only suspect that you have it. Better to be sure! If the disease gets worse, then you may have to visit a gum specialist (periodontist) who will treat you for periodontitis. Early prevention is the golden rule and that means daily brushing, flossing and regular visits to your dental hygienist.
Plaque is enemy number one in gingivitis. This is a sticky sunbstance and if left long enough can turn into tartar which is very damaging especially for the gums. This dental plaque is full of bacteria. Why older people lose their teeth is because they increasingly suffer from this as they get older and maybe have not taken prevention seriously enough. Oral contraceptives, poor oral hygiene and chemiotherapy complete the list of causes of gingivitis.
Brushing teeth at least twice a day is a good rule to adopt to prevent gum disease. Visits to the dentist should be done regularly so that dental cleaning - the build up of tartar cannot be removed by brushing alone. Flossing daily or the use of a a special gum brush are great ways to keep the gums free of disease. As people get older, bone loss will occur as it is a normal process of ageing and therefore teeth are at risk because bone tissue provides vital support for your teeth.
A recent Canadian study says that drinking red wine may help to prevent this condition but the acidic content of red wine could cause other problems. Another study showed that a compound in common antacids may help prevent gingivitis. Melatonin may promote bone formation and stimulate the body’s immune response, two factors that can affect a person’s gums.
Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride strengthen the teeth and help prevent decay. Always brush with a toothpaste that contains fluoride; some dentists also recommend daily mouth rinses containing fluoride. Hundreds of types of bacteria live in the mouth, so keeping plaque at bay is a constant battle. Sometimes your dentist will also prescribe antibiotics or a special antibacterial mouth rinse to tackle the problem.
Longer term measures are to try and keep well and to de-stress (which is not always easy). Anything which compromises your immune system will have anegative effect on your body maintenance and that includes gums. Needless to say smoking is not recommended!