How to Avoid Gum Disease

Red, swollen gums. Persistent bad breath. Sensitive teeth. If any of these sound familiar, you may be dealing with the early stages of periodontal disease, more commonly known as gum disease. It’s a remarkably common condition, affecting a large share of adults to some degree, and it’s an inflammatory one, affecting the soft and hard structures that support your teeth.

The encouraging part is that, because it develops gradually, gum disease is also very preventable. Here’s what causes it and how to keep it at bay.

What causes gum disease

Gum disease is driven by a build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth, which harbours harmful bacteria. It develops slowly over time, often without obvious pain in the early stages, which is part of why it can progress unnoticed.

Left untreated, it can lead to more serious consequences, including bone loss around the teeth, chronic bad breath, and ultimately tooth loss. Caught early, though, it’s very manageable, and that early detection is exactly what regular dental visits provide.

How to prevent it

Prevention is refreshingly straightforward and rests on habits you already know. Brush for two minutes, twice a day, and floss at least once daily to clear plaque from the places your brush can’t reach.

Beyond that, staying on top of your routine dental check-ups is key, since they allow plaque and tartar to be professionally removed and any early signs to be spotted and addressed before they progress. Consistency, rather than anything complicated, is what does the work here.

The bigger picture

Looking after your gums is also part of looking after your overall health, since oral health and general wellbeing are connected in ways researchers continue to explore. That’s all the more reason to treat those everyday habits, and regular visits, as worthwhile.

If you’ve noticed any signs of gum trouble, or it’s simply time for a check-up, get in touch with TMJ Therapy Centre to book a visit, and we’ll help keep your gums healthy.