Fortunately, gum disease can be prevented through some easy and inexpensive efforts.
1. Get Rid of Plaque (and the Plaque-Causing Bacteria)
Your goal is to make your mouth as inhospitable as possible to the bacteria that produce plaque. To accomplish this, eliminate both the bacteria and the food it thrives on.
According to the NIH, smoking is a leading cause of gum disease. They should put that warning on cigarettes — forget lung cancer, bleeding gums and sensitive teeth are the real reasons to not smoke.
1. Get Rid of Plaque (and the Plaque-Causing Bacteria)
Your goal is to make your mouth as inhospitable as possible to the bacteria that produce plaque. To accomplish this, eliminate both the bacteria and the food it thrives on.
- Brush often. When you feed yourself, you're also feeding the natural bacteria that cause plaque. If you can, brush after every meal.
- Floss daily. Brushing doesn't get between the gums and teeth, so flossing is, unfortunately, a necessary evil for getting rid of the troublesome plaque. If you don't floss everyday, then the once or twice yearly visits to the dentist will be that much more painful (because she'll have to scrape the crud off).
- Use mouthwash. If you can't brush after every meal, rinsing with a mouthwash can help.
According to the NIH, smoking is a leading cause of gum disease. They should put that warning on cigarettes — forget lung cancer, bleeding gums and sensitive teeth are the real reasons to not smoke.
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