Your gums are the first line of defense against infection of your tooth roots, which can quickly lead to tooth loss. Furthermore, periodontal health is a barometer of overall body health since gum infections can spread to other parts of the body and other health problems often cause gum problems.

Therefore, it’s clear that long-term gum health should be an important goal of every one of us. Yet, sadly, the majority of US adults suffer from one stage or another of gum disease at some point in their life. But gum disease can be prevented – and where it’s already occurred, it can be successfully treated.

1. Preventing Periodontal Disease
The first step to having healthy gums throughout life is to exercise good oral hygiene on a daily basis. That means brushing gently over your gums with a soft-bristled brush when you brush your teeth, flossing down to the gum line in your interdental spaces, and using a gum-friendly antiseptic mouth rinse that helps to bacterial infestation of the gums.

Also, maintaining a healthy diet will do wonders to reduce the risk of developing gum infections. Reduce sugar intake, get plenty of vitamin C, and drink water frequently to rinse off your teeth and gums.

2. Checking For Periodontal Disease
The next step toward achieving and maintaining good gum health is to be on the lookout for signs of periodontal disease. Swollen, over-sensitive, or bleeding gums can indicate a problem. Bad breath, pain when chewing, hypersensitive teeth, and gumline recession are additional signs.

Seeing a periodontist for an annual gum checkup is advisable. This will ensure you don’t develop gum disease gradually over the years without even noticing it before it gets out of control.

3. Getting Periodontal Treatment
When diagnosed with gum disease, waste no time in getting the proper treatment. The longer you wait, the worse things can get. A case of gingivitis can usually be easily treated, while periodontitis may require more extensive treatment.

For the most effective and painless solution available, consider laser periodontal treatment. The state-of-the-art LANAP laser used in laser periodontal treatment eradicates bacteria more efficiently than any other method, and the procedure has little to no painful swelling/bleeding of the gums post-op.

Root scaling and planing may be a good treatment option for mild to moderate cases of gum disease, but laser surgery is easily the most beneficial choice available when it comes to more severe gum infections.

4. Preventing A Re-infection
There are a number of choices you can make to minimize the chances of a re-infection after undergoing periodontal treatment. First of all, choose an experienced periodontist with an impeccable track record to handle the procedure. Second, choosing laser periodontal treatment will help since this method has the lowest re-infection rate and actually stimulates gum regeneration post-op.

Third, follow all instructions your periodontist gives you during the immediate recovery phase and keep up excellent oral hygiene going forward. Quitting smoking and drinking and following a healthy diet will also reduce the risks of re-infection.

Follow these four steps, as necessary, and you maximize your odds of retaining and/or regaining healthy gums for the long term.

To learn more about how to maintain excellent gum health, or to schedule a gum consultation to discuss treatment options for periodontal disease, contact Dr. Raymond A. Kenzik in Ormond Beach, Florida, today!