The most important thing to know about gum disease is that there are preventative steps you can take. Through regular checkups with your dental practitioner and keeping up with good oral hygiene at home, you can keep your gums healthy and prevent periodontitis. However, this is often not the case, as many of us do not know what signs to look out for.
Most people only visit their dentist when something goes wrong instead of getting regular checkups throughout the year. Swollen gums, consistent bleeding, and broken teeth are usually more important to us. As a result, many people leave their dental visits too late, allowing gum disease to set in and compromise their oral and overall health.
The good news is that there are several early warning signs that you may be developing periodontitis, so you can quickly detect it and schedule an appointment with your dentist.
We’ll discuss these early warning signs and other tips on how to prevent gum disease below, so continue reading to learn what they are.
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Early Warning Signs
When people think of oral hygiene, it is often only the teeth they concern themselves with, neglecting the gums entirely. But your gums are just as important to maintaining your oral health.
Let’s take a look at a few early warning signs that your gums are distressed:
- Bad breath: An infection of any kind will cause a smell, and it’s no different with gum disease. If you routinely brush your teeth but your bad breath persists, it could be due to an infection in your gums.
- Swollen or puffy gums: Infections generally cause inflammation, indicating that the gum tissue is compromised and swollen as a result.
- Bleeding: Your gums should not bleed when you brush, floss, or eat. If your gums bleed easily, it could be due to the onset of gum disease.
How to Prevent Periodontitis
Brushing your teeth twice a day may seem like enough to preserve your oral health, but it’s only a third of the care your teeth and gums need, especially when you want to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Instead, you should brush and floss twice a day, rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash after meals, and ensure you visit your dentist regularly for teeth cleaning and gum healthcare.
Family Dental Care in Ottawa can help prevent and treat gum disease before it worsens, so give us a call today to schedule a consultation.