The fight against gum disease doesn’t start at the dentist office. It starts right in your own home. Everything from what you eat to your daily oral hygiene routine plays a role in the fight against gum disease.
Are you ready to learn how to fight gum disease at home? The following are several home treatment options that have proven successful in helping people as they fight against gum disease.
Proper Brushing of Teeth
Your best weapon against gum disease is your toothbrush. Regularly brushing your teeth will help you rid your mouth of bacteria that causes everything from tooth decay and cavities, to gum disease and gingivitis.
Just running a toothbrush over your teeth will not be enough to get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth that can cause dental problems. Using the proper technique to brush your teeth will help you fight gum disease.The key is knowing what that technique is and using it on a daily basis.
The following are some suggested tips for proper tooth brushing:
- Use small, short circular strokes to reach both the inner and outer surfaces of the teeth
- Brush the tops of the teeth wherever food is chewed (brushing strokes)
- Gently brush the gum line to remove food particles and bacteria (bristles angled 30-45° into gumline)
- Brush the entire surface of your tongue
Ideally to gain maximum benefits from proper brushing, you would brush your teeth after every meal. Unfortunately,that is not always possible. Instead it is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day- once in the morning and once at night.
Don’t Just Brush, Floss Too!
Bacteria and food particles can hide in the nooks and crannies that surround your teeth. Unfortunately, toothbrushes often cannot reach these hidden places. When the bacteria and food particles are not removed, it can result in the spread of gum disease. Proper flossing can help you improve your oral health by removing hard-to-reach bacteria and food particles.
Regularly Use a Gingivitis Fighting Mouthwash
Brushing and flossing is a great start with the fight against gum disease, but it isn’t enough. In an effort to truly fight gum disease,regularly use a mouthwash that will fight against gingivitis.
While most over-the-counter mouthwashes should be strong enough to fight gingivitis,there is another option- prescription strength antimicrobial mouthwash.This type of mouthwash can only be obtained with a prescription from a primary care physician or a dentist.
It takes just a few seconds to rinse your mouth with this mouthwash, and it will help considerably.
Avoid Sugary Drinks and Foods
Sugar-filled drinks and foods have been proven to speed up the spread of gum disease. While you don’t have to completely eliminate them from your diet, you should consider cutting back on the amount that you do consume as it will help you with your fight against gum disease.
The True Fight Against Gum Disease – Visiting a Prosthodontist
Home treatment options are great for preventing gum disease. Unfortunately, if gum disease is present, home treatment options cannot treat or cure. The only way to do that is by visiting a prosthodontist.
Scheduling a regular exam with a prosthodontist will allow for early diagnosis and treatment of gum disease.
Even if you do not think you have gum disease, it is still recommended that you schedule an appointment with a prosthodontist. Many people may have gum disease and not know it. A prosthodontist can conduct an oral exam to determine if gum disease is present and provide recommendations for how to treat it.