Categories: Education

How Good Oral Hygiene Prevents Periodontal Disease

Our team offers a variety of treatments to prevent and manage periodontal disease, protecting your smile from discomfort and avoiding complications like tooth loss. But you can also help safeguard your smile with better oral hygiene habits. In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about how to boost your oral hygiene!

The Warning Signs and Dangers of Periodontal Disease

How do you know if your gums are at risk for inflammation and disease? Underlying factors could include a family history of poor periodontal health, inflammatory illnesses, and the use of certain medications. Improper brushing and flossing and infrequent visits for cleanings could be a factor too, as these allow plaque buildup to accumulate and inflame the gums. You may eventually notice a redness in your smile, or gum soreness and blessing when you brush and floss. When this happens, you need to see us right away for an appointment to begin treatment. But often a few simple changes to your oral hygiene routine could protect your smile from these complications.

Brushing Your Teeth

You should brush your teeth using a toothbrush with soft bristles as well as a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps improve your ability to fight harmful bacteria that impacts your teeth and gums. You should brush for two minutes when you wake up and then again before going to bed. Be sure you reach every available surface when you do. These actions remove food particles that would otherwise feed harmful bacteria and increase the history of plaque buildup. You should clean along the gum line as well. An electric toothbrush is also effective if you use it properly.

Flossing Properly

Flossing is just as important as brushing and needs to happen every evening before you brush for the last time. You can use a pick or tape, just as long as you’re taking time to clean up and down each side of every tooth, and dipping beneath the gum line to remove trapped particles. This removes what a toothbrush cannot reach, and is essential for fighting gingivitis and periodontal disease. Taking time to clean your teeth each day helps limit your plaque and tartar levels until we can see you for a cleaning to remove all buildup.

The Benefits of Good Nutrition

What we eat and drink matters too! When you have a diet high in sugar and starch, this leaves behind particles for harmful oral bacteria to consume, which then leads to plaque and poor gum health. Instead, try snacks and meals high in vitamin C and D, which can boost your immune system and strengthen tooth enamel. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and whole grain breads. Drink plenty of water too, as this helps rinse away particles of food, and doesn’t contain any harmful sugars and starches.

Talk To Your Encinitas/San Diego, CA Periodontist About Improving Oral Hygiene

We would like to help you improve your oral hygiene and protect your gums. If you would like to find out more about enjoying a healthy smile, then call Dr. Kania’s office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.

 

Dr. Ann Kania

Share
Published by
Dr. Ann Kania

Recent Posts

Dental Implants Are A Solution For Tooth Loss

When we lose teeth to gum disease or other facts, these resulting gaps in your…

3 days ago

The Pinhole Approach To Gum Grafts

When you have an untreated case of periodontal disease, this could eventually reach a more…

6 days ago

Perio Protect Trays Help Manage Your Smile

When you receive treatment for gum disease, or if we uncover the presence of the…

1 week ago

Does Gum Disease Cause Tooth Loss?

Did you know that if gum disease remains untreated, it could reach an advanced stage…

2 weeks ago

Protecting Your Gum Health During The Holidays

Now that November is here, the holiday season will be kicking into gear and with…

2 weeks ago

How Lasers Assist With Your Periodontal Treatments

When you have a more advanced case of periodontal disease, our team wants to offer…

3 weeks ago