Have you ever felt like you know a lot about keeping your teeth clean and healthy but maintaining gum health is a bit of a mystery? It’s certainly not an uncommon feeling, which is why we are presenting you with three simple steps that will help you avoid gum disease. The good news is that when we say “simple,” we mean it. Even more exciting is that taking care of your gums will naturally result in healthy teeth, too, so you can expect an all-around excellent approach to keeping your grin in good shape.
Step 1: Brush and Floss
One of the most significant steps in preventing gum disease is home care. The good news is that all you need to do is brush and floss (doing it correctly is half the battle, of course). You need to make sure you brush your teeth every single day, twice a day. Don’t use hard-bristle or medium-bristle brushes, as they may damage your teeth and irritate your gums. Always choose soft bristles. You also need to floss once a day. This will remove plaque that is the leading cause of gum disease.
Step 2: Schedule Preventive Visits
About that bacteria-filled, disease-causing plaque: You won’t be able to remove every trace of it on your own with brushing and flossing, even though you may be able to get rid of a significant amount. Addressing every bit of it is essential in protecting you from gum disease, which is why you need to visit us once every six months for a cleaning. During your preventive visit, we will also be able to recognize signs of disease that you may not notice on your own.
Step 3: Call Us If Symptoms Occur
Don’t wait if your gums look inflamed, red or purple, or if you experience bleeding or any other changes. By detecting and treating gum disease in its earliest stage (called gingivitis) we can usually reverse the problem, leaving you with completely healthy gums. However, if the disease has time to flourish into periodontitis, we will not be able to reverse it but will be able to assist in managing the problem.
ABOUT YOUR LIVONIA, MI DENTIST:
James Stewart, DDS, and our compassionate staff proudly serve patients of all ages from Livonia, Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and all surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at (734) 425-4400.