What To Do About Periodontitis

Periodontitis comes in stages, but as early as now you should take steps in preventing major gum diseases. Here are 7 things you can do to prevent it from getting worse:

  1. Brush regularly and properly.

Nothing beats brushing. This advice has been as old as your great grandparents and for good reason. Brushing is the first defense against periodontitis because it removes the dirt, food stains, and bacteria that cling to your teeth and tongue.

There is also the right way of brushing. Contrary to what other people think, brushing too forcefully can also damage your teeth and hurt your gums. When you brush, try to do this gently while being mindful of the spaces between your teeth.

  1. Floss after brushing.

Flossing is especially helpful if you have eaten meat or green leafy vegetables. There are times when the bristles in the toothbrush won’t be able to remove all the food residue in your mouth. This is where flossing makes sure that no food gets left behind.

Most people think that flossing is unnecessary. Although it might feel uncomfortable at first, flossing gives long-term benefits in terms of tooth and gum health.

  1. Gargle with an anti-bacterial mouthwash.

To make sure that no bacteria is left to create plaque in your teeth, gargle regularly with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. This periodontitis treatment at home is simple and very effective as it targets the root cause of gum disease.

One of the simplest mouthwashes you can create at home is salt and warm water solution. This simple home remedy is known to kill bacteria in the mouth and throat. It also washes away the food that has been left in your mouth.

  1. Visit your dentist regularly.

Visiting the dentist is an important part of oral care. Even if you take care of your teeth, your dentist will be the only one to know how bad or good your oral condition is. It is highly recommended that you visit him or her 2-3 times over the course of the year.

As for gum disease, if you experience bleeding, make sure to mention this to your dentist. They can give you a specific mouthwash to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.

  1. Try oil pulling.

Looking for another way to kill bacteria in your mouth? Try oil pulling. Oil pulling was first discovered in India. Ever since, it has started to become popular in Western countries as a means of killing bacteria and removing mouth odor. One of the most popular oils used is coconut oil.

 

To do oil pulling, swish 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil in your mouth for 15 minutes. When you do this, make sure that all areas of your mouth are covered.

  1. Stock up on Vitamin C.

Vitamin C offers a lot of health benefits, one of which is healthy gums. Vitamin C is known for its role in collagen production. This reinforces the growth of healthy and strong gums that will not easily be damaged by bacteria. Taking vitamin C every day will be really helpful in maintaining proper oral care.

Another benefit of drinking vitamin C is making sure that your teeth do not become loose especially when you already have gum disease. When you have gingivitis, the gums surrounding your teeth are damaged making them unable to hold the teeth in place. The more vitamin C you drink during this phase, the lesser the chances of your teeth falling off.

  1. Go for a non-surgical treatment.

There are two non-surgical treatments that you should take whenever you have plaque build-up or gingivitis. These are scaling and root planing (SRP). Scaling works by removing the plaque that has been stuck on your teeth. Usually, your dentist will scrape the plaque. If you have white build-up at the base of your teeth, you can expect them to be removed after this treatment.

On the other hand, root planing is where the dentist smoothens the surfaces of your teeth after it has been deeply cleaned. This helps the gums reattach themselves to your teeth after the plaque has been removed.

Periodontitis can be daunting especially if you are at risk of losing your teeth and damaging your gum tissues. However, with these 7 oral care tips, you can make sure that you don’t have to fear gum disease.