Periodontal disease originates from plaque build-up underneath the gum line. Plaque is a sticky substance filled with bacteria that attacks your teeth, leading to infection. The infection spreads around your gum and bone causing periodontal disease. You can read here to learn more about the dangers of periodontal disease to overall health.
Periodontal disease can also cause gums to become inflamed, red and swollen. The problem with gums being consumed with the disease is that it can impact your overall health, not just your teeth, gums and bone. The soft tissue can become full of bacteria which enters your bloodstream, leading to further health dangers and emergency dental services.
Luckily, there are prevention steps you can take immediately through a good oral hygiene program. Practicing good oral hygiene isn’t the only way to prevent your gums from becoming infected.
The Prevention Steps
Below explain the steps you can take to prevent periodontal disease.
- Your Oral Hygiene – Periodontal disease purely stems from one thing, how well you look after your teeth. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft bristle brush and flossing are two basic but key steps of good oral hygiene. This can help reduce periodontal disease, keeping teeth clear from plaque and debris which are two key causes of bacteria forming.
- Regular Dental Check-Ups – Are you keeping up with your dental check-ups? If not, that is a sign you’re not looking after your oral health properly. The dentist is best placed to identify any concerns with your oral health and perform a scale-and-polish to keep teeth clean. Identifying problems with oral health is much faster at a dental practice than looking inside your mouth in a mirror.
- Regular Mouth Cleaning – Regular mouth cleaning reduces the chance of plaque becoming stuck on teeth. It is recommended you always rinse your mouth with lukewarm water after eating. You may also consider using a dental pick or interdental brush to remove any debris stuck in between teeth.
- Reduce Smoking and Alcohol Intake – Smoking and alcohol intake are two big causes of developing periodontal disease. Those people that smoke tend to have a higher build-up of tartar, which is a symptom of infection. It is recommended that smoking and alcohol is reduced or eliminated completely.
- Stress – Is your daily life stressful? You may not think this will have any impact on your oral health. It does. When regularly stressed, this weakens your immune system. This makes it more difficult for your body to fight off any bacteria meaning an increased risk of periodontal disease. Attempt to reduce stressful situations or perform calming techniques such as meditation.
To Conclude
A healthy immune system delivers a greater chance of fighting off bacteria and infection. Although, you’d hope it will not lead to the immune system reacting in this way. As long as you maintain proper oral hygiene, make the appropriate lifestyle changes and check yourself in at the dentist regularly, your overall health will be safe from periodontal disease.
Are you in need of a dental check-up? Reduce the chances of catching periodontal disease by checking in at the Lotus Dental Centre now. Call us so when we can help you.