Protect Your Pearly Whites: 4 Steps To Prevent Gum Disease
You want to keep your natural teeth for as long as possible. If you're not practicing proper oral hygiene, you may be setting yourself up for gum disease. Unfortunately, gum disease is the most common cause of premature tooth loss in adults. Luckily, gum disease, and premature tooth loss don't have to be inevitable. Here are four simple steps you can take that will help you preserve the health of your teeth and gums.
Don't Slack on the Brushing
Your mouth collects particles of food and bacteria throughout the day. By the end of the day, you have a thick coating of plaque on the surface of your teeth. If you're not brushing your teeth at least twice a day, that thick coating of plaque can start eating away at your teeth. It can even seep down below the gum line, where it will start to cause problems for your roots.
To help keep your teeth clean and remove the plaque buildup, you should be brushing your teeth as soon as you wake up in the morning, and before you go to bed at night. For maximum protection, you should also try to brush your teeth sometime during the afternoon.
Be Consistent with the Flossing
If you can't remember the last time you flossed, you're not alone. Studies show that nearly 20% of adults never floss. Unfortunately, that oversight could lead to gum disease and premature tooth loss. To protect your teeth and gums, you should be flossing at least twice a day – each time you brush your teeth. For best results, try flossing after each meal. The practice of flossing after each meal will remove particles of food that could be stuck between your teeth.
Add Some Crunchy Veggies
The foods you eat can directly affect the health of your teeth and gums. Foods that stimulate your gums and encourage saliva production can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. To keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible, add fresh, crunchy vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, and celery.
See Your Dentist
If you're not seeing your dentist at least twice a year, you could be increasing your risk of dental problems, including gum disease and premature tooth loss. This is particularly important when it comes to gum disease, especially since the disease isn't always noticeable in its early stages.
Don't risk gum disease and premature tooth loss. The tips provided here will help you preserve your dental health. For other tips on how to prevent gum disease, be sure to speak to your dentist or visit websites like http://www.nwidentist.com/.