Hearing that you have gum disease can be upsetting, and really take you off-guard. Its progression is slow, and it’s usually painless. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss, so at Future of Dentistry it’s something we take very seriously.
What can you do to prevent gum disease? The best thing you can do is to take good care of your teeth and gums. That means brushing and flossing your teeth every day – twice a day, in fact – and seeing us regularly for a professional cleaning and checkup.
- Brush at least two minutes; three is even better. Use a timer if it helps.
- Use a light touch. Don’t brush too hard; this can actually damage teeth and gums. Think of it more as massaging. Be sure to brush along your gumline. This is very important, because plaque accumulates there.
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush. Like brushing too hard, hard bristles can damage teeth and gums. Use a fluoridated toothpaste.
- Floss at least once each day. There are lots of types of dental floss available. Choose whichever type you like; just be sure to use it. Once a day is enough for most people. Between meals, you might think about carrying inter-dental cleaners in your purse, briefcase, or backpack. Do not use toothpicks, though.
- A mouth rinse can help, too. It is, of course, no substitute for brushing and flossing, but a rinse can further reduce plaque.
A few other things you can do:
- Don’t smoke. Tobacco contributes to gum disease, and to cancer too. That includes e-cigarettes.
- Eat a healthy diet. Nutrients like vitamins A andC help prevent gum disease. Avoid, or at least minimize, sugary and starchy foods.
- Avoid certain medications. Some medicines can aggravate gum disease. Ask your prescribing doctor.
At Future of Dentistry, we treat gum disease. Patients from throughout Greater Boston and Merrimack Valley also come to us for complete general and family dentistry. Call to schedule your next cleaning and checkup today!
Contact Future of Dentistry:
781-245-2299
Locations (Tap Below To Open Your Office In Google Maps):
Future of Dentistry – Billerica
668 Boston Rd
Billerica, MA 01821
978-663-4303
Future of Dentistry – Dracut
149 Pleasant St
Dracut, MA 01826
978-957-1811
Future of Dentistry at Willows – North Andover/Willows Dental Group
795 Turnpike St
North Andover, MA 01845
978-685-8313
Future of Dentistry – Wakefield
968 Main St
Wakefield, MA 01880
781-245-2299