Many people think tooth decay is the most serious and dangerous dental issue. Even though it is very serious and dangerous, it’s not the most harmful issue for your smile. The most harmful issue is gum disease.
Gum disease is a dental problem that occurs when you fail to properly clean your smile each day and when you delay or miss your six-month checkups. This is because the plaque is allowed to grow on your smile. As time passes, the plaque can irritate your gums, turn into tartar, and deteriorate your underlying bone, oftentimes resulting in loose and lost teeth. This is why it’s important to prevent gum disease as much as possible. You can do so by doing the following things:
–Brush your teeth: Grab a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste and brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Brushing is extremely beneficial because it helps remove the plaque on your teeth regularly. As you brush, make sure to scrub the inner, outer, and top surfaces of each individual tooth.
–Floss your smile: Flossing is tremendously important for the prevention of gum disease. This is because it removes plaque and bacteria from between each tooth and along the gumline, which helps prevent gum irritation. So, use a product of your choice and make sure to floss at least once a day. Do your best to be gentle along the gumline.
–Rinse your mouth: It’s recommended to rinse your mouth with mouthwash once a day. While rinsing, make sure to use an antibacterial or anti-gingivitis mouthwash. These products also help remove the plaque and bacteria from your smile.
–Keep up on your six-month checkups: Your dental cleanings are vital for your oral health and for the prevention of gum disease. This is because the treatment involved is the only way to completely remove the plaque and tartar from your smile. Without this treatment, the plaque can attack and harm your smile. So, make sure to keep up with your six-month checkups.
If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about how to prevent gum disease in Concord, California, please call Oak Grove Dental today at 925-685-2286 and talk to a member of our dental team. We also encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Eidbo if you’re due for a dental checkup. We look forward to hearing from you!