When the pasty mix of food particles and bacteria known as “plaque” hardens into dental calculus, “tartar,” and spreads below the gum line, gum disease advances to its advanced form: periodontitis. While you can’t undo the gum decaying and tooth-rotting damage done by periodontitis, there are some things you can do to stop gum disease before it advances. Take a look at the things you can do at home and the preventive dental procedures your dentist can offer to help you beat gum disease.
What You Can Do at Home
Don’t discount the basics: brushing and flossing. There’s no better way of fighting gum disease than faithfully sticking to an essential dental hygiene routine at home.
Some things you can do at home to enhance your routine include using an antibacterial mouth rinse or hydrogen peroxide to kill any of the over a hundred possible types of bacteria living in our mouths.
Also consider using a powerful electric toothbrush, which can clean deeper and more thoroughly than manual brushes. To keep gum tenderness and swelling down, consume more food rich in antioxidants.
What Your Dentist Will Do
Next to brushing and flossing regularly, the best thing you can do to keep gum disease in check is to check in with the professionals. The dental specialists at your local dentist office are equipped with all the tools, knowledge and experience necessary to diagnose and effectively treat all stages of gum disease.
Getting regular teeth cleanings will remove tartar from your teeth, giving your mouth respite from the bacterial infection that leads to the buildup and eventual hardening of plaque. Checking in with your dentist will also give them the chance to spot issues early on and help you stop the problem from growing.
With gum disease under control, you can start to look at putting the cherry on top of the cake of your dental health by getting teeth whitening and other cosmetic dentistry.
Where You Can Get Started
Set up a consultation with a dentist in Montclair, NJ to learn more about your options for combating gum disease effectively.
