Gum disease is a severe oral condition that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Even though gum disease is prevalent among adults, it can be prevented. Several factors increase the chances of developing gum disease; some of them include:
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is one of the common causes of gum disease. If you fail to clean your mouth, bacteria will accumulate on your teeth and cause gum disease. Therefore, it is vital to maintain good oral hygiene for improved gum health. It would be best if you brushed your teeth at least twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush. In addition, you should clean every part of your mouth to ensure all bacteria and food particles are removed.
Brush your teeth, to your mouth roof, and the gums. However, it would help if you were careful when brushing your gums because brushing aggressively can cause bleeding. Apart from brushing, it would be best if you also floss your teeth once daily. This is important because it helps clean between your teeth and dislodge food particles that brushing might have missed. If necessary, you should also use a mouthwash after eating sticky foods. This will go a long way in preventing gum disease.
Smoking
Smoking is linked with a wide range of severe conditions like heart disease and cancer. Apart from damaging your body, smoking also poses a significant risk to your oral health. Research shows that tobacco increases the risk of periodontal disease. In addition, tobacco smokers are four times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers. Therefore, it is good to prevent smoking for better oral hygiene. It would be best if you also stopped exposing your teeth to tobacco and other related products.
Teeth Grinding
Even though it is an involuntary act, teeth grinding increases the risk of gum disease. It weakens the teeth structures and facilities the accumulation of bacteria around your gums. Contact us for more information on the risk factors of gum disease.
Gum disease is a severe oral condition that can lead to tooth loss if left untreated. Even though gum disease is prevalent among adults, it can be prevented. Several factors increase the chances of developing gum disease; some of them include: