{"id":1131,"date":"2019-03-25T14:46:20","date_gmt":"2019-03-25T02:46:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/oral-health-wellbeing\/how-to-achieve-long-term-gum-disease-prevention\/"},"modified":"2025-03-01T16:24:48","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T04:24:48","slug":"how-to-achieve-long-term-gum-disease-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/how-to-achieve-long-term-gum-disease-prevention\/","title":{"rendered":"How to achieve long-term gum disease prevention"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Preventing gum disease requires ongoing care for your teeth and gums. It's not simply a matter of acting when there's a problem – you need to stay on top of your oral hygiene to ensure long-term gum disease prevention<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let's discuss what gum disease is and how you can prevent it in the long-term.<\/p>\n

What is gum disease?<\/h2>\n

There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.<\/p>\n

Gingivitis <\/strong>is early-stage gum disease, and the result of plaque build-up agitating the tissue around your teeth. This condition generally presents as sore, red and inflamed gums, which might also bleed when you brush or floss. Persistent bad breath is also a common symptom. If left unchecked, gingivitis can escalate into periodontitis.<\/p>\n

Periodontitis <\/strong>is an infection occurring when bacteria from built-up plaque is allowed to damage your gums. It can lead to loose and shifting teeth as well as pus in your gums. If periodontitis is not treated, it's possible teeth will fall out or require extraction.<\/p>\n

There's also a chance periodontial bacteria will spread to other systems of the body and aggravate existing inflammatory conditions. Periodontitis cannot be treated at home – you must seek care from a dental professional<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While gingivitis may not seem too scary, it can quickly develop into advanced gum disease. Preventing gum disease requires routine oral health care and long-term thinking.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\"HealthyHealthy gums require regular upkeep in your oral health routine.<\/figurecaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Preventing gum disease in the long-term<\/h2>\n

Identifying you have gum disease is the first step to treating it. If you recognise your gums are inflamed, it's important to pay careful attention to your oral health routine. Gingivitis can be treated with regular and thorough brushing and flossing.<\/p>\n

However, if you're not aware of your own oral health or don't book regular visits to the dentist, it's possible you can develop periodontitis without even realising. Consequently, you'll require professional dental care to treat the issue.<\/p>\n

For this reason, it's important you maintain excellent oral health care to prevent gum disease from developing in the first place.<\/p>\n

Here's what you need to do to achieve long-term gum disease prevention:<\/p>\n