How To Prevent Gum Disease

Gum disease is a preventable disease condition, but at times you may still find that even with proper care there may be areas in your mouth that are more prone to persistent problems than others. The most effective way to prevent gum disease is to have absolutely impeccable oral hygiene habits.

Brush Your Teeth

Brushing is something we all do, but do you do it the correct way? Using a soft-bristled brush isnt always someones first method of choice, but it is the gentlest, safest way to remove plaque deposits from along the gum lines without causing tooth abrasion or gum recession. Gently angle the toothbrush 45 degrees toward the gum lines, making short back and forth motions. You should focus on only two or three teeth at a time and apply just enough pressure that the tissue blanches, no more.

High-quality electric toothbrushes can remove plaque more efficiently from your teeth than manual brushes. Because the bristles vibrate thousands of times per second they disrupt the plaque better than a few strokes back and forth with a manual toothbrush. These brushes work best when you hold the toothbrush in place on just two or three teeth at a time, allowing the brush to do the work for you.

Although conventional wisdom may tell you to use commercial toothpastes filled with fluoride and other chemicals, you may be surprised to learn of the potential dangers that go along with these substances. Its best to use toothpaste with natural botanical ingredients that will help destroy the bad bacteria on an ongoing basis.
Its better to use toothpaste with natural ingredients that help destroy bad bacteria on a daily basis.

Floss Daily
Brushing does not remove plaque deep below the gums or between the teeth. If you do not clean these areas, you are placing your oral health at risk for an increased chance to develop tooth decay and gum disease.

To floss properly you should:

Use approximately 18 inches of floss, wrapped around the fingers or tied in a circle, allowing you to move to a clean portion as you go along

Wrap the floss in a C shape around each tooth

Glide gently up and down against your tooth, sliding under the gum lines

Allow the floss to slide down under the gums as deep as it will go, making three to four strokes against the side of the tooth

Come up over the gums before wrapping the floss against the adjacent tooth to prevent gum trauma

Gums that have gingivitis or periodontal disease will almost always bleed when flossed; an exception is in smokers, who almost always have no bleeding. If your gums bleed, continue daily flossing for approximately two weeks before expecting to see the bleeding stop.

Use A Water Floss

Water flossing with an irrigation device allows you to remove plaque between your teeth and under the gums without using traditional floss. The stream of water is actually believed to remove more plaque than traditional floss because it can reach several millimeters deeper under the gums in areas of gum disease. Traditional floss can only get about three millimeters under the gums, where water flossing is believed to reach up to seven millimeters below them.

Get Routine Preventive Screenings And Cleanings

Seeing your dentist and hygienist regularly can help identify areas of gum disease that you might have otherwise been unaware of, allowing for early intervention. Having your hygienist clean your teeth regularly will remove the calcified plaque deposits (tartar) from your teeth that contribute to the advancement of gum disease. Even people with exceptional oral hygiene will usually still develop small areas of plaque calcification. These tartar deposits cannot be removed on your own and require special instrumentation and training. When tartar is removed from the tooth, it creates a healthy gum environment that helps prevent the loss of bone support. Otherwise, the tartar accumulates and harbors bacteria that contribute to gum detachment. 

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral care, skincare, body care and foot care. If you are looking for more health resources check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Reviewed By:    

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.