Gum disease is no fun at all. Symptoms might include: red or tender gums, pain when chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold drinks, bad breath, or even your gums receding. In the absolute worst case scenario you could even lose teeth.
Luckily, it’s relatively easy to prevent gum disease with smart dental care. Here’s how you can get started.
1. Avoid acidic drinks
Soft drinks, energy drinks and citrus juices are extremely high in acid, which can erode the enamel of your teeth and lead to decay. Cut down your consumption, or quit drinking them all together to protect yourself against gum disease.
2. Brush your gum line and tongue
Bacteria that can cause gum disease isn’t just on your teeth. Use a soft bristled brush, using gentle strokes to clean your gum line and tongue, as well as your teeth. Aim to do this for at least two minutes, twice a day.
3. Floss daily
One of the best ways to stop plaque buildup between your teeth is to floss. It takes less than two minutes and it can be done straight after brushing in the morning. All that’s required is a quick, soft slide up and down between each tooth, taking care to be gentle so that you don’t cause bleeding or scratch your gums.
4. Know your risk
Several factors make you more at risk of gum disease, and if they apply to you it’s even more important to take good care of yourself. Risk factors include:
- Smoking.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Age.
- Unhealthy diet.
Cutting down or quitting smoking and unhealthy eating habits can greatly reduce your risk of gum disease. It’s cheaper, easier and less painful to make a change now and prevent gum disease, rather than get treatment later when the problem’s much worse.
5. Visit your dentist for regular checkups
There are signs of symptoms of gum disease that you might not be able to see or recognise. The best way to prevent and treat gum disease effectively and cheaply is to visit your dentist for a checkup at least once a year.
That way you can quickly identify and treat problems before they become serious. To start taking better care of your teeth, book an appointment online at City Dentists today.