How Can I Prevent Periodontal Disease?

Lowering Your Risks of Periodontal Disease

Like any other medical condition, untreated dental conditions can lead to significant issues for your smile, including possible gum and tooth loss. The good news? Periodontal disease is very preventable!

WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?

Also referred to as gum disease, periodontal disease is caused when plaque build ups cause bacteria to grow between your gums and teeth. When bacteria grow, the gums surrounding your tooth can become inflamed.

According to the CDC, 47% of adults aged 30 years and older have some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is progressive and is split into two major stages known as:

• Gingivitis – In its first and milder phase, gingivitis only affects the gums and is generally indicated by swelling, inflammation, or bleeding red gums when brushing or flossing your teeth.
• Periodontitis – This more destructive phase of periodontal disease can jeopardize your gum health and even your jawbone structure. When the accumulation of bacteria along the base of your gum line occurs, your immune system responds by tackling the build-up, slowly but surely eating away any gum tissue or bone in its pathway.

This condition can affect your oral health in the long run without proper care; from sensitive and inflamed gums to bone and tooth loss. Learn how you can reduce your chances of developing gum disease with these tips:

KNOW YOUR RISKS

When most patients think about their dental health, they only focus on their smiles — not their gums. Anyone at any age can develop periodontal disease, but there are some ways to know if you’re more prone to experience symptoms according to these factors:

GENETICS

Almost 30% of our population can be at risk for developing gum disease due to genetics. Your genetics also play a large part in how early you will develop periodontal disease and how extreme your symptoms are.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Systemic diseases and pregnancy can heighten your risk of developing periodontal disease. Certain medications and drugs such as cancer therapy medication, oral contraceptives, steroidal drugs, and anti-epileptic prescriptions can also lead to gum disease.

LIFESTYLE HABITS

Tobacco and alcohol use are two of the leading lifestyle habits that can directly lead to gum issues. Also, a poor dental hygiene routine can turn healthy gums into a nightmare after long periods of poor care.

DEVELOP A GOOD DENTAL HYGIENE ROUTINE

BRUSH YOUR TEETH

Brushing your teeth daily won’t just help to reduce your risks of gum disease; it’ll help keep your smile healthy and bright for a lifetime. Be sure to brush at least two to three times a day or after every meal. This helps to remove food debris from your mouth, preventing plaque build-ups. Also, don’t forget to brush your tongue, as well!

FLOSS

Usually, our patients are better about brushing their teeth than they are about flossing. We don’t just tell you to floss your teeth at your appointments for our health — we tell you for yours! Your toothbrush isn’t always the best tool for getting the plaque stuck in your gum line — which means it’s best to floss at least once daily. If you’re on the go, consider using floss picks so that you can take them with you and floss after your meal.

VISIT YOUR PERIODONTIST

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the detection, treatment, and prevention of gum disease. Dr. Thanik will look at your teeth, plaque level, gums, and other risk factors for periodontal disease at your appointments. If treatment is needed, he’ll go over your options with you so that we can keep your smile healthy and bright.

Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) surgery and gum grafting are both popular solutions for gum disease. For loose teeth unable to be saved, we also offer dental extractions and implants to replace and restore your smile.

PERIODONTAL CARE IN TIGARD

Our competent team at Progressive Periodontics is committed to helping and treating every one of our patients with tooth loss prevention and improvement of their overall oral health. Whatever level of periodontal disease you find yourself dealing with, our compassionate and professional staff will work tirelessly to aid in repairing your gums and supporting tissues and bone structure.

Contact our team today for a consultation: (503) 966-3780