Causes and Prevention of Periodontal Disease

Periodontitis usually starts off with bleeding and swollen gums or gingivitis. If left untreated, it develops into periodontitis. The main culprit behind this disease is bacterial buildup, typically arising if you do not follow oral care tips. When plaque and tartar accumulate, they create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to thrive, leading to gum disease. 

But again, it is not just a matter of brushing and flossing. Sometimes, genetics, tobacco usage, stress, medications, and even grinding your teeth can be contributing factors. If you are concerned about your oral health, an experienced dentist in Brooklyn, New York, will help! This blog will give you a brief idea of how periodontitis is caused and how to avoid it.

Causes of periodontitis

The main cause of gum disease is the growth of bacteria. This happens typically due to a few factors:

• Use of tobacco

When it comes to tobacco use, your gums definitely pay the price. Whether you are a smoker or enjoy chewing tobacco, remember that it dramatically raises your chances of developing periodontal disease. This is because tobacco weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight the bacteria that target your gums. 

• Bad oral hygiene

You must know that poor oral hygiene leads to numerous complications, and periodontitis is one of them. Let us assume you do not brush your teeth properly, then the plaque accumulates in your mouth, thus inviting the bacteria to flourish. This leads to the bacteria making your gums swell and bleed.

• Grinding your teeth

If you constantly grind your teeth, the pressure you put on your teeth leads to receding gums. This directly indicates that you might get gum disease in the future.

How do I prevent periodontitis?

Well, you can avoid this disease in a lot of ways. All you need to do is make sure you do not slack off and never give up on your oral hygiene.

• Good oral hygiene

As expected, you will be asked to clean your teeth and gums. You should brush your teeth regularly, in a gentle circular manner. Use antibacterial mouthwash too. While it can be advantageous for you in many other ways, you should remember that periodontitis is a severe dental disease, and preventing it saves you a ton of pain and consequences.

• Visit your dentist regularly.

As cliche, as it may sound, the dentist can identify gum disease symptoms long before you suspect it. Or when they are doing a routine teeth cleaning procedure, the accumulated plaque and tartar will be wiped away, thus killing any chances of periodontitis in the future.

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Earnest Dunaway

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