Gum disease is completely preventable with the proper oral care!

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in American adults. Unfortunately, this disease can linger for months or even years before someone even notices or seeks proper care. Our Fort Lauderdale, FL, dentist Dr. David Erdman can prevent, diagnose and even treat periodontal disease; however, the goal should be to prevent gum disease whenever possible. You can greatly reduce you risk for gum disease by practicing these simple habits,

Brush twice a day

You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day, once in the morning and again right before bedtime. Of course, if you are prone to gum disease or decay you should try and brush your teeth after every meal to reduce plaque buildup. Make sure that you are spending about 2-3 minutes brushing your teeth, focusing on cleaning all surfaces including along the gumline, the roof of your mouth and your tongue.

Floss daily

One of the best ways to protect your gums, as well spaces between teeth, is to floss your teeth. You only need to floss once a day to help keep food particles, bacteria and plaque buildup at bay. By flossing every day, you ensure that both the spaces between teeth and your gums are clean in a way that brushing alone just can’t offer. If you aren’t flossing every day, it’s important that you start.

Know how to properly store your toothbrush

Do you often cover your toothbrush head with its plastic cover after brushing your teeth? You may think this is protecting your toothbrush from harboring germs, but it’s actually doing the opposite. If you cover your toothbrush head when it’s still wet you create a warm, damp environment for bacteria to breed. Then, the next time you brush, you are spreading that bacteria onto the gums (yuck!).

Boost vitamin C intake

Vitamin C isn’t just great for your immune system, it can also help support healthy gums. That’s because it provides the body with the antioxidants it needs to repair damaged and inflamed tissue. It may even play a part in reversing those early signs of gum disease, known as gingivitis.

When should I see a dentist?

Along with those six-month checkups, it’s important that you visit our Fort Lauderdale, FL, dental team right away if you notice any of these warning signs of periodontal disease,

• Bleeding gums
• Swollen, puffy gums
• Red gums
• Gums that are tender to the touch
• Receding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• A pimple-like bump on the gums (signs of an infection)
• Sudden tooth sensitivity

If you are experiencing symptoms of periodontal disease or you need to simply schedule a dental checkup with our Fort Lauderdale, FL, dental team, don’t hesitate to call us at (954) 564-1605 to book your next visit with us.