Prevent Gum Disease and Take a Trip to the Periodontist

If you thought a visit to the dentist was a scary prospect, having to visit a periodontist can be far worse. Preventing gum disease is much easier than dealing with the consequences.

Want to get in the good graces of a periodontist? What are the consequences of improper oral hygiene? If your dentist makes the recommendation that you start caring for your gums a bit better, take heed, because gum disease can be a devastating, embarrassing, and painful problem to deal with. And just because you have clean, straight teeth, doesn’t mean that you’re immune. A periodontist sees it every day. A client walks in with perfect teeth and diseased gums. Oral care encompasses your entire mouth, not just the visible parts.

Prevention

The key to avoiding a periodontist is prevention. At the most basic level, regular brushing with toothpaste and flossing is the standard. But to really provide protection, you have to brush properly as well as buy the right products. A two second swipe of your front teeth is not enough to prevent gum disease and other dental problems from occurring. Your dentist can demonstrate the correct brushing method as well as how to floss properly.

Investing in good quality tools and products will also greatly reduce your risk for gingivitis and other diseases. It may seem like an extravagance to buy an electric toothbrush, but they can save you a fortune in dental visits and oral procedures in the future. They clean faster and more thoroughly than you can by brushing with the traditional method, making them well worth their investment. Most will last for many years and the brushes can be replaced inexpensively.

Professional Cleanings

Another way to prevent and catch gum disease early on is by having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. Dentists can then keep track of your progress and ensure your teeth remain clean and healthy. They are able to scrape tartar that you can’t or that has built up too much to be removed by toothbrush alone. They can also give you some recommendations on products and cleaning methods to keep you on the right track between visits.

Consequences

If you have any of the following symptoms: bleeding or swollen gums, tender or red to the touch, receding gum line, or consistent odor, you may already be well on your way to gum disease or gingivitis. And just because your teeth are white and healthy, doesn’t mean that your gums are in as good of condition. In the first stages, it may be able to be reversed with regular dental cleanings and better home care. Advanced gingivitis can cause tooth loss, bone decay, and ulcers in the mouth.

So how can investing in your teeth now save you thousands of dollars later? Compare the price of bi-annual dental visits to the cost of one trip to the periodontist and one procedure. Check out the price of an electric toothbrush compared to dentures or crowns. One tube of toothpaste and five minutes of flossing per day is far less expensive time and money-wise than several tooth extractions. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy now will serve you well into the future.