The Importance of Oral Hygiene in Preventing Gum Disease

Gum disease is a health condition that deteriorates more than your teeth, making oral hygiene a priority regardless of your age. Preventative techniques such as brushing regularly can make a big difference to your health and the aesthetic of your smile. Understanding gum disease is the first step to preventing it.

What is Gum Disease?

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, periodontal (gum) disease is an infection that targets the tissues that hold your teeth in place. The infection is often caused by the buildup of plaque, which is a bacteria that accumulates on teeth and hardens. If your gums are red, swollen or bleed when you floss or brush, you may have the early stages of gum disease. It can spread to the bones of your mouth and cause pain while chewing, tooth loss or lead to infections in other parts of your body.

Gum disease is an active infection and can increase the risk of other health conditions such as obesity, stroke, heart disease and diabetes. The harder your immune system has to work to stave off infections, the more difficult it can become to cope with serious illnesses. Gum disease may seem like a nuisance at first, but left untreated the disease can cause serious complications that can lead to life-altering physical and mental complications.

Importance of Oral Health

Given the impact of gum disease on your body, the importance of preventative dental treatments and oral health cannot be understated. The condition of your teeth impacts more than how you eat, smile and speak. It also impacts your self-esteem and confidence in social settings. Whether it’s cavities or advanced gum disease, poor oral health can cause you physical pain and impact your quality of life. For these reasons, it is important to focus on good oral hygiene.

Once gum disease has started, it can be difficult to prevent it from getting worse and spreading. As a result, it is critical to practice good oral hygiene early in life. It is also never too late to start. Practicing simple cleaning techniques can mitigate serious health risks and make your life easier. Oral hygiene has a good return on investment in terms of your finances and psychological well-being.

Preventing Gum Disease

Oral hygiene techniques can vary from infants to adults and seniors. Knowing the right techniques to use given your age is something that Vero Implants and Periodontics (VIP) a periodontist in Vero Beach can help you with. Whether it is learning how to perform regular oral hygiene, or recommendations for brushes and dentures, VIP can help. Regular preventative care at VIP can help you maintain your oral hygiene and stop the spread of gum disease or eliminate it all together.

Basic preventative measures include brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing regularly. Also, using a fluoride mouth wash and toothpicks or similar tools can help. If you smoke, it can have a negative impact on your oral hygiene. The reduction or elimination of smoking and drinking alcohol can help you improve your oral health and overall well-being over the short and long term. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical for preventing gum disease.

VIP offers a variety of advanced services that can help you combat the impact of gum disease. These services include bone regeneration, which involves using a bone graft to help you replace teeth and restore your smile. Guided bone regeneration and guided tissue regeneration are also effective at repairing physical damage and restoring your oral health. If you need dental implants in Vero Beach, Vero VIP can help.

Call Us Today

Gum disease can have negative, wide-ranging repercussions on your body, including heart or brain infections. As a result, the importance of oral hygiene cannot be understated. To learn more about preventing gum disease and dental treatments, please contact Vero Implants and Periodontics. Start improving your smile today with a Vero Beach dental professional.