Gum Disease TreatmentGum disease is a term commonly used in reference to a condition called periodontitis. This is an inflammation of the area around your tooth, and it can cause significant problems if allowed to go untreated. Specifically, you may end up losing a tooth or multiple teeth if you have significant gum disease.

Fortunately, there is some good news here – most cases of gum diseases can be prevented, or at least properly managed, through good oral health practices. In this blog post, we would like to discuss what you can do to steer clear of serious gum disease and the issues it can present. Knowing that you can take this matter into your own hands should be all the motivation you need to stay on top of it and avoid unnecessary oral health complications later on.

Let’s take a look at some of the typical causes of gum disease.

Poor Dental Hygiene

For most individuals, this is the big one. If you fail to take proper care of your mouth on a day to day basis, you will be putting yourself at risk for gum disease. Brushing your teeth a couple of times a day is about more than just making your teeth look good and keeping your breath fresh – it’s also about fighting off the possibility of gum disease over the long run.

The enemy here is plaque. By brushing regularly, you should be able to ward off the development of plaque in any significant quantity. If you allow significant plaque buildup to occur on your teeth, you’ll be putting your gums at risk and there is a good chance that periodontitis will appear at some point. Good oral hygiene doesn’t guarantee that you will never have to deal with gum disease, but it certainly is a good start.

So, what should you be doing to ward off periodontitis? Fortunately, you shouldn’t need to do any dramatic or out of the ordinary. As you might imagine, it’s brushing your teeth regularly that is going to be the big key here. If you can make it a habit to brush twice daily, it will be hard for significant levels of plaque to develop. In addition, it’s a good idea to visit your dentist periodically for cleanings. Between the work, you do at home with a toothbrush, and the work performed at your dental office during a professional cleaning, you’ll be well on your way.

Avoid Tobacco Use

Okay, so you probably don’t need another reason to steer clear of tobacco, but here it is anyway. When you use tobacco, whether it is smoking cigarettes or some other form, you will be increasing your risk of gum disease. If you have been looking for yet another motivation to get serious about kicking your tobacco habit, put oral health on the list of reasons to quit.

Genetic Predisposition

There isn’t anything you can do about this point, but one piece of the gum disease puzzle comes down to genes. Simply put, some people are more likely to develop gum disease than others. Obviously, if gum disease seems to run in your family, you can’t change that fact on your own. What you can do, however, is pay particularly close attention to your oral hygiene. Knowing you are predisposed toward developing this condition, you can place even more emphasis on keeping your mouth clean day after day. Also, you may want to speak with your dentist about any other preventative steps you can take.

Illness and Medication

Again here, we see a couple of potential causes that are largely out of your hands. If you are sick, your immune system may be interfered with, and you might find that gum disease becomes more likely. This is just an unfortunate side effect of developing another kind of disease, and it is something you should talk about with your dentist.

On the medication side of things, you might notice that your mouth is drier when taking certain kinds of medicine. If your mouth doesn’t have the same level of saliva that it would have otherwise, gum disease may be able to develop. When starting a new medication, always ask your doctor about potential side effects so you can be prepared to deal with those to the best of your ability.

Times of Hormonal Change

There are certain stages in life when significant hormonal change is common. For instance, when a woman becomes pregnant, dramatic hormonal shifts are a standard part of that process. Or, when an individual goes through puberty, hormones will change quite quickly. Whatever the case, these changes can open the individual up to the possibility of gum disease. You aren’t going to be able to steer clear of hormonal periods in your life completely, but you may be able to focus more attention on your oral health during these times in an effort to keep your mouth healthy.

Getting Professional Help

You can do yourself a great favor in terms of fighting off gum disease just by brushing your teeth regularly. To go a step further, however, it’s smart to work with a dentist to develop a game plan for avoiding gum disease and other oral health issues. Your dentist will be able to analyze risk factors specific to you when making recommendations and offering advice. And, of course, by working with a dentist, you can schedule cleanings that will go beyond what you can accomplish with your toothbrush.

At Spokane Dental, we are focused on helping our patients achieve their optimal level of oral health. Whether it is gum disease or another issue that you are currently facing, our team will work together with you to find the best possible solutions. If you would like to make an appointment, or if you would simply like more information on our services, please contact us right away. Thank you for taking the time to visit!