4 Ways to Prevent Gum Disease

If you were asked to guess the most common condition in people across the United States, what would you say? Your mind might go to high blood pressure or depression, and you’d be right. But there’s one condition that affects about 4 in 10 Americans. 

If that number seems high, it’s probably because it’s a condition most people don’t think a lot about. It’s gum disease, also called periodontal disease. 

The good news is that in its early stages, gum disease is usually reversible. The bad news is that if you don’t address it, it can require an involved procedure or even lead to tooth loss. 

As a specialist in periodontal disease, Gemini Master-Patel, DMD, can address this condition if you develop it. Ideally, she wants to help all of our Riverside Dental patients avoid this disease. For that, she has a few tips, including getting regular cleanings at our offices in Yonkers or Thornwood, New York. 

1. Brush twice a day

Plaque is the number one cause of gum disease, containing lots of bacteria that can irritate and infect your gums. Your toothbrush is a powerful tool in your fight against this condition. 

Brushing in the morning and at night gives you a way to remove plaque before it has the chance to build up and affect your gums. As you brush, make sure you include your gum line. The American Dental Association recommends you angle your toothbrush at 45 degrees along your gums and use short back-and-forth strokes. 

2. Floss daily

While your toothbrush can clean the majority of your mouth, it can’t reach into the tight spaces between your teeth. Plaque loves to hide there, making flossing an important part of defending against gum disease. 

3. Quit smoking

If you’ve been looking for another reason to give up cigarettes, consider this: Smoking makes you more likely to develop gum disease and makes it harder for your body to heal once it develops. 

4. Get regular cleanings

While you can get rid of plaque with your toothbrush and floss, there’s another gum irritant you need to consider. It’s called tartar, and it develops when plaque has the chance to calcify on your teeth. 

Fortunately, our team can remove tartar at your biannual teeth cleaning appointment. Staying consistent with these visits helps keep your gums healthy. 

With our family dentistry services, Dr. Master-Patel and our team aim to make it easy for you to get the care your teeth and gums need. To schedule an appointment and get help protecting yourself against gum disease, call our Riverside Dental office nearest you or book online today.