Posted on July 23, 2024
Learning that you have advanced gum disease can be scary, leaving many people feeling hopeless about the future of their smile and the longevity of their teeth. While gum disease can be harmful to your overall well-being, it can be prevented, reversed, and maintained with the right periodontal treatments. Of course, your relationship with gum disease will depend on how advanced the disease is and your overall health. But, when you visit The Perio Centre and Dr. Adam Ohayon, a trusted periodontist in Oshawa, you will receive personalized treatment plans and tailored care from dental implants and gum graft surgery to scaling and oral hygiene options that are designed to improve the impact of gum disease (also known as periodontitis). With the right care at your periodontist office and these regular dental habits you can prevent gum recession and protect your teeth for the long-run after treatment.
Here are 3 daily practices to support healthier gums.
A Strong Oral Hygiene Routine
Maintain brushing, flossing, and even mouthwash. Find a convenient time to fit flossing into your life to start the habit strong and keep building on it as you get more comfortable. Flossing and brushing your teeth combined help you effectively reach the entire surface area of your teeth, minimizing the buildup of plaque and the creation of tartar.
A Healthy Diet
What you eat can significantly impact the health of your gums and teeth. First and foremost, periodontists in Oshawa emphasize the importance of getting enough water. Making water a staple in your diet helps clear the mouth of bacteria that can compromise the health of your gums. Water also helps to clear out debris that can turn into plaque and ultimately tartar. Ensuring healthy fruits and vegetables are incorporated into your day also allows for your teeth to better be cleaned out naturally throughout the day. While both water and healthy food are helpful in physically cleaning out the teeth naturally, they can take the place of more sugary drinks or food choices that would otherwise contribute to bacteria growth around the gums and teeth.
Stay Away From Smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease. If you’re already at risk of gum disease or experiencing it, smoking severely hinders the health of your gums. The harmful chemicals in tobacco damage the gums by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. This damage makes smokers more susceptible to infections and slows down the healing process. Quitting smoking not only improves your overall health but significantly reduces your risk of developing gum disease. For those already affected, stopping smoking can prevent further damage and help maintain the results of your periodontal treatments.
Benefits for Post-Treatment Recovery
Maintaining these healthy practices not only prevents the worsening of gum disease, but it also helps to protect your improved gum or dental health after periodontal treatments like gum grafting surgery and dental implants. It’s important that you preserve the health of your gums following these treatments so that they don’t become affected by tartar, gum recession, and infection. To learn more about how to protect your gums and teeth after restoration and surgery, talk to Dr. Adam Ohayon and The Perio Centre team.