Gum disease is a serious problem, which impacts a large portion of the population. Gum disease is a type of inflammation that targets the gum line. If the problem is not treated as quickly as possible, it can also begin impacting the bone that supports the teeth. There are three main stages of gum disease with the last being the most severe. What causes gum disease and how can you avoid it? You’ll be able to find out in the guide below.

Common Causes

When it comes down to it, there are plenty of things that can cause gum disease. The most common cause is poor oral hygiene. If you do not brush and floss your teeth as recommended, you’ll be at a higher risk of developing the disease. Poor dietary choices can also cause gum disease. Other causes include unattended cavities and ill-fitting dentures. Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco are two leading causes of gum disease as well.

Just remember that you too can take steps to prevent gum disease. With the right preventative measures, you’ll most likely be able to avoid the disease for the remainder of your life.

Prevention

There are several things you can do to greatly decrease your chances of developing gum disease in the future. First and foremost, you should speak with a dentist and get a checkup. Richmond Dentist Dr. Sood recommends getting a checkup at least once a year. Also, it is absolutely pertinent to properly care for your teeth. Make sure that you’re brushing and flossing your teeth correctly and at the right intervals. Use a toothpaste with fluoride and brush at least twice a day. Flossing should be done at least once a night. This will help to remove build-up that cannot be removed with brushing alone.

You should also give up harmful activities, such as using tobacco. As mentioned above, tobacco use will significantly increase your risks. Gum disease is very preventable. As long as you follow this advice, there is a good chance that your teeth will be free of gum disease for your entire life.

Treatment

While you’re at it, you should know that gum disease is treatable. The effectiveness of treatment and a maintenance program has been supported by numerous studies. There are two types of treatment, surgical and non-surgical. Non-surgical treatment options include professional dental cleaning and scaling and root planing. If you’re in the early stages of gum disease, you should have professional dental cleanings at least twice a year, if not more. Cleanings might not be a suitable treatment for active gum disease. There are many surgical solutions for gum disease. They include flap surgery, bone grafts, soft tissue grafts, and guided tissue regeneration.

In many patients, scaling and root planing will be enough to solve the problem. Surgery is only required when the tissue surrounding the teeth has becoming unhealthy and cannot be fixed with nonsurgical alternatives. With this in mind, you should consult with your dentist. They’ll be able to help you determine which method is best for you.