Periodontal disease is one of the more common oral health threats adults can develop. In severe cases, it can lead to tooth loss or the need for extraction, as well as several other consequences to your overall health risks. Fortunately, periodontal disease can be successfully prevented, but there’s no one-size-fits-all solution that’s guaranteed to work. Today, we take a look at a few key factors in preventing periodontal disease, and why they may not mean the same thing for everyone.

Prevention on a daily basis

As a chronic oral health concern, periodontal disease may develop and progress before you’re aware of it. This can make preventing it difficult, unless you understand how it develops in the first place. Periodontal disease is often referred to as gum disease because it involves the progressive erosion of your gums (or, periodontal tissues). The first stage of this erosion is known as gingivitis, and it develops when oral bacteria are allowed to gather in enough numbers to infect your gum tissues. Preventing gingivitis requires consistently keeping your teeth and gum line clean of bacteria accumulation by brushing at least twice and flossing at least once every day, particularly along your gum line.

Avoiding harm to your periodontal tissues

Oral bacteria are the main source of the infection in your gums that leads to periodontal disease development, but many other factors can pave the way for this infection to develop. For example, habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco can expose your periodontal and oral tissues to hundreds of detrimental chemicals, including many that are known carcinogens. In addition to oral cancer, exposure to these chemicals can also cause significant harm to the healthy tissues and cells in your periodontal and oral tissues, making it much easier for conditions like periodontal disease, and worse, to develop.

Addressing concerns as early as possible

Preventing periodontal disease is the best way to protect your long-term oral and systemic health from its potential consequences. Yet, prevention isn’t always successful, and gingivitis may develop despite your best efforts. If it does, then you can still protect your oral and systemic health from significant periodontal disease by seeking treatment for it as soon as possible. With prompt periodontal treatment and ongoing maintenance, you can control the disease and prevent its progression, improving your chances of avoiding more serious periodontal concerns.

Learn how to prevent or manage periodontal disease

Though periodontal disease can become a significant threat to your oral and overall health over time, you have a good chance of preventing it, or controlling it before it becomes that threatening. For more information, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kania by calling her periodontal office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.