Gingivitis is the earliest and least obvious form of gum disease. Once it develops, your risks of experiencing more severe consequences of gum disease become significantly higher. Therefore, the key to preventing gum disease from seriously threatening your smile is to avoid the development of gingivitis in the first place. At our Encinitas/San Diego periodontal office, preventing gingivitis and gum disease is one of the most important preventive measures we provide our patients.
Outsmarting Gum Disease
- Focus on your gums when you brush – Brushing and flossing your teeth is the key to good hygiene, but if you don’t focus on your gum line, then you may still be leaving yourself open to gingivitis. The condition is caused by oral bacteria working their way underneath your gums, so when you clean your teeth, be sure to carefully clean the line where your gum tissues meet your teeth.
- Quit smoking/chewing tobacco – If you smoke or chew tobacco, then the habit can exponentially increase your risks of developing gum disease. The chemicals in tobacco and its smoke can cause severe damage to your periodontal tissues, making them more susceptible to disease and less able to heal properly. Quitting the habit is the only way to eliminate the risk. For help, visit our office and ask Dr. Kania about our smoking cessation program.
- Pay attention to how your gums look – When you clean your teeth at the sink every day, pay close attention to the appearance and integrity of your gums. If they appear to be separating from your teeth roots (receding), becoming red and swollen, or starting to bleed slightly, then gingivitis may already have developed. The next step is to seek expert periodontal treatment to stop it from becoming more severe.
- Ask about non-surgical perio treatments – If you’ve already developed gingivitis, then your periodontist might recommend one or more minimally invasive, non-surgical treatments. For instance, ozone therapy may help you eliminate harmful oral bacteria from underneath your gums, while platelet-rich therapy can give your gums a boost in healing themselves.
Save Your Smile by Preventing Gum Disease
Saving your smile from the destructive force of gum disease starts by preventing the formation of its earliest stage – gingivitis. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.