Once you know you have gum disease, the next steps are to get treatment and manage your gum issues. There is no cure for periodontal disease; it’s a chronic condition that requires lifelong management. Once you understand what you can do to help manage your own condition, managing your gum issues becomes much easier. When coupled with professional care, self-management techniques can significantly reduce your risk of developing further complications from your periodontal disease. Read on to learn more about how you can treat your own condition and what steps you should take if you want to manage it at home.
Practice good oral hygiene habits | Gum issues
Good oral hygiene habits are the foundation of periodontal treatment. Flossing and brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste can reduce the risk of gum disease by up to 80 percent. You can also use mouthwash to reduce the risk of gingivitis and bad breath. Regular dental checkups are also essential to managing your periodontal disease. During your checkup, your dentist will use a periodontal probe to measure the health of your gums. If your gums are unhealthy, your dentist will recommend treatments to help reverse the condition.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Use a soft toothbrush and replace it at least every three months. Consider using an electric toothbrush, which may be more effective at removing plaque and tartar. Floss daily. Use a mouth rinse to help reduce plaque between your teeth, if recommended by your dentist. Don’t worry, if you act quickly, gum disease can be cured without leaving a lasting mark on your smile.
Stop smoking and reduce sugar intake | Gum issues
Smoking damages your gums, making them more susceptible to developing periodontal disease. It also impairs your body’s ability to fight bacterial infections, so it makes you more susceptible to gum disease. People who smoke are twice as likely to develop periodontitis than non-smokers. If you’re a smoker, you can reduce your risk of periodontal disease by quitting. According to research, smokers have four times the risk of non-smokers.
Quitting also reverses damage inflicted on your gums by smoking. There are also ways you can reduce your risk of periodontal disease by changing your diet. Sugar can reduce the amount of calcium in your saliva. People with low levels of saliva are more likely to develop gum issues.
Have professional care and regenerative therapy
Your dentist will be able to provide the best care and advice for your teeth. Depending on your condition, you may need treatment to reverse your gum issues. For more severe gum disease, your dentist may recommend professional cleaning, a root treatment, or even surgery. Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, you may need aggressive treatment. You may need additional care and treatment as the disease progresses. In some cases, you may need surgery to remove your teeth.
You may want to consider regenerative therapy as a more natural approach to treating your periodontal disease. Regenerative therapy uses stem cells to encourage your body to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. This includes your gums and the tissues around your teeth. Regenerative therapy can help you reverse gum recession and regenerate lost gum tissues.
Conclusion
Gum disease is a very common but serious condition that affects almost half of all people at some point in their lives. While it can be managed at home with proper dental care, it’s important to get professional treatment as soon as you notice signs of gum disease. Periodontal disease is a serious condition that can cause you a great deal of pain. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent it from becoming a serious problem. By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing periodontal disease.
