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Preventing gum disease is easier than treating it after it occurs. Prevention includes brushing teeth twice daily with a good toothbrush, flossing at least once a day but twice a day for best results, and regular dentist visits and cleanings. When appointments have been missed or dental hygiene has declined for some reason then a deep cleaning can help to get things back on track. A deep cleaning removes all the plaque and tarter build-up on teeth and the roots to allow healing of the gums.
Factors
Smoking, sugary foods, and sugary drinks are all factors in gum disease and the more they are avoided the better for preventing periodontitis. Other factors include genetics and hormonal changes which are harder to control but there are steps that can be taken to prevent the damage from increasing. It is also important to maintain hydration and moisture in the mouth as dry mouth can allow bacteria to grow more quickly and lead to infections or periodontitis.
Dental Appointments
A dentist should be consulted if there is pain in the teeth or gums, swollen or discoloured gums, bleeding during brushing or flossing, receding gums, loose teeth, any new spaces between teeth or change in how the teeth close together. All of these are signs of gum damage or disease and should be addressed as soon as possible. Regular dental appointments and twice yearly cleanings will help to catch any concerns or issues soon. Treatment can be started quickly, which will help to reduce consequences and damage to both teeth and gums.
Treatments
The first string of treatments will include scaling and root planing. This will remove the build-up on the teeth and decrease the pocket size around them creating less space for bacteria to grow. It also creates a smoother surface that will deter bacteria and build-up from sticking, so it is both a treatment and a preventative measure. When an infection has formed an antibiotic can be prescribed to kill the bacteria and infection. This can come in the form of a topical treatment that is applied to the gums and spaces between the teeth or as an oral antibiotic in liquid or pill form.
Surgery
For more advanced cases surgery may be necessary. Flap surgery allows the dentist to move a portion of the gum tissue off the tooth to clean the roots beneath then put the flap back down over the spot to heal. A graft may be completed with a soft tissue from another area to stop gums from receding further and build them back up around the tooth. A bone graft can be completed in much the same way but adds a portion of bone from somewhere else to help hold the tooth in place.
While periodontitis is common it can be prevented and there are many treatments available to help reduce the likelihood of tooth loss and regain gum health.
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Written By:
Kassandra Foreman has been writing freelance for five years now and enjoys learning about new things to write about. When not writing she teaches yoga and meditation with a focus on health and fitness.
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.
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