About 42% of American adults 30 and older have some form of periodontal (gum) disease. However, the condition often develops silently, leaving many people unaware.
Even without obvious symptoms, gum disease can increase the risk of serious issues, including tooth loss, gum recession, and bone loss. Taking good care of your gums can slow disease progression and help keep your smile healthy.
At Gulf Coast Periodontics & Implants in Gulfport, Mississippi, Dr. Caesar Sweidan and Dr. Laura Smith often treat gum disease and educate patients on daily habits to keep them in good shape.
Read on for practical tips to protect your smile.
Your gums offer a protective shield from bacteria and hold your teeth in place. They also protect your tooth roots and jawbone, helping absorb the impact of daily activities like biting, chewing, and speaking.
Healthy gums are pink and don’t bleed when you brush or floss. Gum disease makes them red and swollen and causes them to recede or pull away from the teeth.
When this happens, it’s easier for bacteria to build up around your teeth and below your gumline, increasing the risk of dental health problems.
Fortunately, gum disease isn’t inevitable. Preventive practices can keep your gums healthy and reduce your risk. Here’s how to protect them:
Whenever you eat a meal, small food particles remain in your mouth. They mix with saliva and bacteria and form plaque, which sticks to the surfaces of your teeth.
Brushing your teeth twice daily for at least two minutes reduces the amount of plaque that can build up, making gum disease less likely.
Brushing is a great way to clean the surfaces of your teeth, but toothbrush bristles can’t reach the spaces between your teeth or beneath your gums. Flossing lets you access these hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, protecting against gum disease.
Foods and drinks like bread, crackers, and soda provide the perfect food source for oral bacteria, which increases their numbers and ability to damage your gums.
Eating a balanced diet featuring fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provides essential vitamins and nutrients to prevent gum inflammation and plaque buildup.
Drinking water flushes your teeth and gums of food particles and bacteria. It also prevents dry mouth, which can increase the risk of gum disease.
Because gum disease develops slowly, many people don’t realize there’s an issue. Visiting our team for bi-annual oral exams and teeth cleanings can catch problems early and prevent them from worsening.
If we notice any signs of early gum disease during one of these checkups, we can make personalized treatment recommendations.
Gum disease can be reversed in its earliest stage (gingivitis). In more advanced stages, it can be managed, but lost gum tissue can’t be regenerated.
Aside from daily oral care, several lifestyle changes can help support your gums, including:
Smoking and vaping increase the risk of dry mouth, which creates an environment for harmful oral bacteria to thrive. They also cut off circulation to the gums, depriving them of oxygen and other vital nutrients.
Stress and anxiety weaken the immune system's ability to defend against germs, including oral bacteria. Stress can also cause some people to grind and clench their teeth, which can damage the gums and make them more susceptible to infection.
If you’re concerned about having periodontal disease, don’t wait to see a periodontist. An in-office evaluation can identify all stages of gum disease and help you determine the best way to slow the infection and prevent additional damage.
Contact us today to make an appointment. Call our Gulfport, Mississippi, office at (228) 868-9615 or request an appointment online.
