Periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease, can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and eventually, a greater risk of adult tooth loss. Few people realize how routine dental care can help strengthen smiles and protect gum tissue against periodontal problems. Let’s look at three steps for preventing periodontal disease.
Gum Disease Prevention
- Undergo Dental Cleanings: A dental cleaning involves removing plaque and tartar from your smile using either a manual tool or an ultrasonic scaling device. We then polish the teeth. The procedure takes minutes and can remove the buildup of bacterial byproducts that inflame gum tissue and increase the risk of gum disease. On average, adults should have one every six months. However, those with high risk factors for developing gum problems may benefit from one every three to four months.
- Always Brush and Floss Daily: When you care for your smile from home, you limit how much plaque can accumulate on the teeth in between dental cleanings. You should brush your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and again before going to bed at night. Each session should last two minutes to ensure optimal cleaning. You also need to floss each night before bed, removing the food stuck between your teeth that a toothbrush’s bristles simply cannot.
- Avoid Tobacco Products: When you smoke or use tobacco products, you can worsen gum recession and periodontal problems, leading to an increased risk of periodontitis. This is the advanced stage of gum disease, the one that attacks the connective tissue between the teeth and gums and leads to adult tooth loss. By avoiding tobacco products, you also reduce your risk of oral, throat, and lung cancer, as well as a host of other serious health complications.
If you have any questions about periodontal disease prevention, or if you would like to schedule a dental cleaning, then contact our team today.
Do You Need a Cleaning?
At Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, our team provides preventive treatment to helps safeguard smiles against periodontal disease. We’ve proudly served our patients in Astoria, NY (including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
