How to Protect Your Smile from Periodontal Disease

One of the most dangerous dental problems is periodontal disease. It is so because it happens to so many patients with very few of them aware that they have it. A major problem is that the initial stages of periodontal disease are easy to downplay, even though there are consequences to this decision.

Any time you suspect you have an infection in your mouth, you must consider the possibility of it being periodontal disease. At this, seeking periodontal treatment near you present you with an opportunity to treat the illness before it advances and causes significant and rather permanent problems in your oral cavity.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

It is a term used to refer to gum disease, that features an infection of the gum tissue and by extension the bone tissue. The disease is common among patients, especially in the early stages. Having that it is not an incurable disease, patients need to seek help from periodontists in North Houston who are well experienced and trained in treating the periodontium.

What Causes Gum Disease?

According to Lynn Alan Palmer, DDS, there is no specific cause that has been identified as causing gum disease. The infection can develop for patients differently, with different triggers and risk factors.

Still, it is agreeable by most periodontists near you that poor oral hygiene is a big factor in leading to gum disease. The bacteria, food residues, acids, and saliva in your mouth that are left untouched for a long time form plaque in your mouth. This plaque becomes the starting point of many health complications in your mouth, with gum disease being a major one.

How To Prevent Gum Disease

The beauty of this disease is not only that it is curable, but also that it can be prevented. There are a couple of strategies you can put in place to help you protect our smile from periodontal disease. Some of them include:

• Quit tobacco usage – whether you chew, smoke, or snuff tobacco, you are at a high risk of getting gum disease. Tobacco does not only ruin your lungs and stain your teeth. It also significantly sabotages the health of your gums.
• Quit taking alcohol – many health experts advocate for reduced intake of alcohol if any at all. The benefit is not just for your liver and other parts of your body. For your oral cavity, the alcohol proves very abrasive to the gum tissue, which may expose you to the risk of getting gum infection.
• Improve your oral hygiene – it is not a basic thing to brush your teeth twice every day. If anything, your oral hygiene practice should involve regular dental flossing and thorough rinsing to properly clean your mouth. This ensures that food residues do not settle in your mouth long enough to combine with saliva and bacteria to form plaque. Besides, proper oral hygiene is a crucial component for flaunting good breath.
• Consider regular dental visits – the routine dental exams conducted every time you visit your dentist are helpful to sustain excellent oral health. Besides, with periodontal disease, the earlier you catch it, the better it is for your oral health.
• Eat healthily – what you eat directly impacts the functioning of your body. For healthy gums and strong teeth, you must pick your foods wisely. Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet to ensure you are absorbing nutrients and minerals necessary for excellent health.
• Seek treatment for underlying health problems – sometimes the reason your gums have an infection has to do with another health problem you have. In most cases, health issues like diabetes, cancer, and other health problems can be the reason your mouth is unwell. For such, the best course of action is to seek treatment for those problems, so you can cure your whole body.
• Use different medication – medicine is meant to help your body’s immune system work better regarding fighting infection. However, sometimes a component in the medication may harm your gums, causing an infection. When that is the case, be sure to talk to your doctor about a change in the medication you are taking, to something that favors your gum tissue.

Book an Appointment

Still stuck on how periodontist can protect your smile? Call us right now to book an appointment with our periodontist near you at Lynn Alan Palmer, DDS in Houston, TX. You can also visit our dental clinic if you are living in Bayhurst Drive, Walwick Drive, Tanglewood, Vindon Drive, Shadow Wood Drive, Stillwood Drive, Forum Drive, Raton Street, and surrounding areas.