Routine care is crucial to help protect your smile from gum disease, or if you already have periodontal health issues, to help manage the issue and prevent worsening symptoms. In today’s blog, your Astoria, NY, dentist talks about what you can do to protect your smile from home, and when you should contact our team for treatment.
Preventive Actions
Gum disease occurs when the gingival tissues that frame your smile and support your teeth become inflamed. Gingivitis then arises, eventually causing the gum tissues to pull away from the teeth. When bacteria infiltrate the exposed pockets, this allows periodontal disease to develop. To help prevent this disease, you need to halt inflammation. Gum inflammation could arise as a result or poor oral hygiene, which allows plaque buildup to accumulate and irritate gum tissues. Other possible causes include cigarettes and other tobacco products, inflammatory illnesses, certain medications, or a family history of periodontal issues. To help prevent the disease, be sure you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, when you wake up and again before bed. Even more vital, you need to floss up and down each side of every tooth, dipping below the gum line when you do. This removes the food particles that feed harmful bacteria and leads to plaque buildup.
Managing Your Oral Health Issues
Gingivitis, or gum inflammation, can be reversed with routine care both at home and in our office. However, once gum disease forms, there is no cure. If you fail to manage the disease, then the advanced stage, known as periodontitis, could arise. This stage severs the tissues connecting the teeth and gums, leading to adult tooth loss! If you have gum disease, you need to make sure you avoid tobacco products, and also brush and floss your teeth thoroughly every day without exception. Try to eat healthier foods and drinks too, as this deprives harmful oral bacteria of the fuel they need to create plaque and tartar. Fewer sugary foods and drinks, more fresh fruits and veggies, water, nuts, and cheeses.
When to See Us
During this pandemic, our team wants to protect our patients and team members by limiting the services we provide. However, if you begin to experience severe discomfort in your teeth or gums, then please let us know. We can decide whether this is an emergency situation that requires attention, and if not, offer tips to help you make better choices for your smile and protect your teeth and gums from serious complications until we can see you again for a routine checkup and cleaning visit.
Do You Have Questions About Oral Healthcare?
Our team wants to make sure that while you’re at home, you’re still caring for your smile. To learn more about our treatment options, then schedule a consultation, call Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
