21 Apr What is Gum Disease? And How do I Prevent it?
Gum disease or periodontitis is a serious dental issue that may result in tooth loss if left untreated. Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene are essential to preventing gum disease. Learn more about this health issue here below.
What is gum disease?
Gum disease mainly affects the gum tissues and it can result in severe damage to the soft tissues and bone that support your teeth. It causes the tooth to become loose, which will lead to loss of the affected teeth. Other symptoms of gum disease include bright red, swollen gums, bleeding gums, bad breath, painful chewing, receding gums among others.
How do I prevent gum disease?
Fortunately, gum disease is preventable. Add the following simple habits to your routine every day to avoid developing periodontitis:
- Brush after all your meals to remove plaque and food debris in your teeth
- Floss at least two times daily to reach the areas where brushing cannot effectively reach
- Swish with a quality mouthwash to reduce plaque build up
- Understand your risk since smoking, genetics, age and diet may all increase your likelihood of developing gum disease
- Get a regular comprehensive dental examination to identify and treat gum disease early on
Is Laser Gum Therapy Beneficial?
The typical gum disease treatment is to conduct a deep cleaning. However, you can also opt for the newer laser gum therapy, which is a bone-building, regenerative and tissue-preserving procedure. The dentist uses the laser to access infected pockets and kill all the bacteria and infected tissues. The calculus is eliminated with ultrasonic root cleaners rather than scraping using hand tools. Laser therapy is highly beneficial as it ensures that the gum tissue is not purposefully reduced to lower levels.
Where would I use Laser Gum Therapy?
Laser gum therapy would be highly beneficial for those who want a less invasive treatment for their gum disease. Also, since the laser doesn’t cut into the gum tissues, it guarantees faster recovery with reduced risk of sensitivity, bleeding or infection after the treatment. That also means that the likelihood of developing further complications is quite low since the entire procedure is gentle and more precise.
If you suspect you have gum disease, consult your dentist. They will evaluate your condition and decide whether you qualify for laser gum therapy. Furthermore, ensure you practice the gum disease prevention habits shown above to reduce the accumulation of bacteria and plaque in your mouth.