While modern dental science has made remarkable advances in treating oral diseases, prevention is always better than cure. To keep our mouth, gums, and teeth their healthiest, there are some simple practices we can follow to reduce dramatically the risk of developing some of the most common oral diseases.
Tooth Decay
We don’t usually think of tooth decay as a disease, but it is, in fact, the most common chronic disease in older children and adolescents. A great majority of adults have had at least some experience with decay. Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to pain, infection, tooth loss, and even loss of nearby bone in the jaw. Luckily, there are several time-tested ways to prevent cavities:
- Brush properly at least twice a day. Ask Dr. Rothstein for the best toothbrush for your individual needs (usually, a soft brush is best), the best technique for angling the brush to reach all of each tooth’s surfaces, and the amount of time you should spend brushing.
- Floss daily. Even with perfect brushing form, you are going to want to use floss to clean between the teeth and around the gum line.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste. Study after study has shown that the risk of cavities is reduced with regular use of a fluoride toothpaste or rinse.
- Watch your diet. Foods high in sugar and simple carbohydrates give cavity-causing bacteria the fuel they need to produce the acids which weaken enamel. On the other hand, a diet rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals is beneficial not only for your teeth, but for your whole body!
- See your dentist for regular checkups to find small problems and prevent them from becoming major ones. Your dentist can also give you tips on better oral hygiene if your brushing and flossing habits aren’t doing the job.
Gum Disease
Preventing gum disease is a lot like preventing tooth decay—your daily habits really make a difference. When plaque builds up around the teeth and gums, the bacteria in plaque cause gum tissue to become inflamed, swollen, and painful. Left untreated, the gums pull away from the teeth, leaving pockets where bacteria collect and lead to infection. Infections harm not only gum tissue, but can destroy the bone which supports the teeth. What can you do to prevent gum disease?
- Use proper brushing technique. Remember to angle the brush toward the gums to gently clean around and below the gum line.
- Floss daily—flossing removes particles and plaque between the teeth, and it also helps remove plaque from the area under the gum line.
- Smokers are at higher risk for gum disease, and smoking has been linked to slower healing. Giving up tobacco products of any kind is always a good way to protect your dental health.
- Regular dental exams will catch gingivitis (early gum disease) while it is still reversible. Periodontitis (serious gum disease) can require treatment by Dr. Rothstein. Certain diseases such as diabetes increase the risk of developing gum disease, so checkups are especially important.
- Having your teeth cleaned every six months, or as recommended, will remove plaque that brushing alone can’t handle. If there are signs of more serious gum disease, a periodontal cleaning will remove plaque and tartar from both above and below the gum line.
How Can Your Periodontist Help?
Periodontists like Dr. Rothstein have the advanced education and training not only to treat oral diseases, but to help repair the damage they can cause. A periodontist has experience in:
- Treating all forms of periodontal disease
- Periodontal cleanings such as scaling and root planning to remove plaque and tartar
- Regenerative treatment to restore bone lost to periodontal disease
- Implant surgery to provide a permanent, natural looking replacement for a lost tooth
- Regenerative procedures, if needed, to make sure the jawbone has the necessary size and density for a successful implant
- Gum surgeries to remove or reshape excess or damaged gum tissue
- Soft tissue grafts to treat exposed roots, receding gums, and gum tissue loss
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and when it comes to your dental health, there’s a lot you can do to prevent oral diseases. But should you need treatment at our Livingston office, we have the knowledge and experience to help restore the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. After all, you can’t weigh the worth of your oral health—that’s priceless!
