Ready to find out how you could prevent periodontal disease?
With more than half of the American population dealing with some degree of gum disease (according to the CDC), it’s important that you understand how to invest in your gum health and take active steps to keep your gums healthy. Along with visiting your Narberth, PA, dentists twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings here are some ways that you can promote healthier gums right away:
Improve Your Oral Care Routine
You better believe that how you care for your teeth and gums plays the biggest role in maintaining a healthy smile. Here are some tips to enhancing your current at-home routine to reduce your risk for gum disease:
- Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3-4 months
- Brush your teeth for a minimum of two minutes every time you brush
- Floss your teeth daily
- Use a mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine, which can reduce plaque buildup and prevent gingivitis
Alter Your Diet
Your diet is one aspect that may go overlooked when it comes to preventing plaque buildup. A healthy diet promotes a healthy immune system, which allows us to be able to fight off infection and heal efficiently.
Therefore, you want to eat a diet that is rich in fibrous veggies and crisp fruits (e.g. apples and pears), as well as lean protein, complex carbs (skip the white bread and white rice and say “yes” to multigrain breads and brown rice), and healthy fats (e.g. fish; avocado; nuts). Limit sugar, junk food, and processed foods, and eat a diet that mostly consists of whole, healthy, and unprocessed foods.
See Your Dentist
You don’t have to be dealing with dental problems in order to warrant visiting our Narberth, PA, general dentist. In fact, everyone (regardless of age or health status) should visit their dentist every six months for checkups and professional cleanings. These checkups can prevent problems from occurring while also spotting issues early on when they are reversible and much easier to treat.
Whether you are noticing symptoms of gum disease or it’s just simply time to schedule your six-month cleaning with one of our award-winning Narberth, PA, family dentists, call Main Line Center for Dental Excellence at (610) 664-6061 to book your next visit.