Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness with Age?
You brush, you floss, you visit the dentist regularly — but still, your teeth keep losing their luster. Sound familiar? If you’re getting older, your age could be to blame. Read on to learn more.
4 Ways To Prevent Gum Disease
It’s easy to take things for granted, like being able to smile, chew, or even talk with confidence. But a serious dental issue could be putting all of these things at risk: gum disease.
Gum disease — or periodontal disease — affects nearly 50% of American adults. It’s also the leading cause of tooth loss.
That’s because this inflammatory condition impacts the soft tissue supporting a tooth. And, without treatment, it starts degrading the jawbone itself.
Dr. Daniel Park diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent gum disease at Beaumont Cherry Valley Dental in Beaumont, California.
If you want to protect your teeth and gums from this common problem, Dr. Park recommends taking these four essential steps today.
1. Practice good oral hygiene
How often do you brush? Floss? If you’re skimping on these important habits, you could have a problem brewing.
Plaque buildup in the mouth is the main cause of gum disease. This sticky substance contains bacteria that cause gum inflammation. And in the earliest stages, most people don’t even notice it.
The truth of the matter is that everyone has plaque on their teeth, and it’s constantly forming. However, when you don’t remove it, it hardens into tartar. At that point, only a dentist can take care of it.
And you know what? It doesn’t take long for plaque to harden — it often occurs within 48 hours. That’s why it’s essential to brush at least twice a day and floss daily.
Think of good oral hygiene as your first line of defense against gum disease.
2. Understand your risks
If you want to avoid gum disease, it’s also vital to understand your risks.
Other factors that increase your chances of this inflammatory condition include:
- Hormonal changes, like puberty, pregnancy, and mental pause
- Genetics
- Medical conditions like heart disease and diabetes
- Autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease and lupus
Even stress can increase your risk of oral health problems, including gum disease.
When your body is under long-term stress, it weakens your system’s ability to fight infection. In response, you can develop infections that cause bleeding gums, bad breath, and decayed teeth.
On top of that, these infections also weaken your immune system, which allows harmful bacteria from your mouth to spread throughout your body.
3. Quit smoking
If you need extra motivation to ditch your tobacco habit, do it for your teeth and gums.
Smoking and other tobacco use can take a serious toll on your oral health. Not only does it increase your chances of producing more plaque, but it also deprives your body of oxygen.
This risky combination means tobacco users often end up with gum disease that worsens faster than seen in non-smokers.
4. Don’t skip dental visits
Finally, there’s a reason why the American Dental Association recommends regular visits.
These appointments give experts like Dr. Park a chance to check your teeth and provide a thorough cleaning. That also ensures earlier detection of potentially serious dental issues, like gum disease, when interventions are typically easier.
For instance, in the very earliest stages of gum disease, Dr. Park can often reverse the condition completely with extensive cleaning. Then, he can offer personalized guidance on better oral hygiene strategies to maintain your results.
However, as gum disease progresses, it often requires more extensive interventions. Dr. Park could even recommend bone or gum grafting to replace lost tissue.
Routine dental visits help you avoid more serious problems. Dr. Park also suggests scheduling an appointment if you notice any signs of problems, such as:
- Sore, bleeding, or discolored gums
- Persistent bad breath
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Pain while chewing
- Changes in the fit, feel or look of your teeth
For comparison, healthy gums should seem firm to the touch, and they shouldn’t swell or bleed, even with brushing or flossing.
Are you ready to take action against gum disease? Contact Beaumont Cherry Valley Dental by calling 951-845-2661 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Park in Beaumont, California, today.
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