- INTRODUCTION
Keeping your mouth healthy is a team effort between you and your dentist. While there are many things you can do at home to stop gum disease, you will still need your dentist’s help for complete care and treatment.
Taking care of your gums starts at home with good habits. But visiting your dental clinic regularly helps make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy. These five easy steps will help you avoid and manage gum disease.
- CLEAN YOUR TEETH EVERY DAY
Gum disease often starts slowly and doesn’t cause pain in the beginning. It’s possible you won’t even realize you have an issue until it’s too late. By the time you see signs like bleeding gums or pain, the disease could already be in a serious stage.
Use fluoride toothpaste and brush your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day to prevent this. To get rid of plaque that your toothbrush cannot reach between your teeth, floss once a day. This helps stop the buildup of plaque, which is one of the main causes of gum problems.
1.2 VISIT YOUR DENTIST REGULARLY
Even if you take good care of your teeth at home, you still need to visit the dentist. Dentists use special tools to clean your teeth better than you can at home. They can also check for early signs of gum disease and treat it before it gets worse.
Regular checkups also help your dentist create a personal care plan for your teeth and gums. This makes it easier to stay healthy and avoid serious dental problems in the future.
- CLEAN YOUR DENTAL APPLIANCES
If you wear dental appliances like dentures, braces, crowns, or implants, it’s important to clean them properly. These tools help restore your smile and improve how your mouth works. But if not cared for, they can collect plaque and bacteria, leading to gum disease.
For example, dentures should be cleaned daily with a denture-cleaning solution.
1.4 BE AWARE OF DRY MOUTH
Your mouth stays healthy and your appliances last longer when you keep them clean.
When your mouth is dry, there isn’t enough saliva to wash away bacteria, making it easier for gum disease and tooth decay to develop.
Bad breath, dry tongue, a dry, sticky feeling, and frequent thirst are some of the symptoms. See your dentist immediately if you observe these symptoms. They can help you treat the problem before it leads to more serious issues.
1.5 BUILD GOOD DAILY HABITS
Good oral health starts with daily care and being alert to changes in your mouth. Brushing, flossing, regular checkups, and caring for dental appliances all help keep your gums in great shape. If you stay consistent with these habits and seek help when needed, you can prevent and manage gum disease easily.