Prevention of Gum disease

Medical news about treatments for Gum disease

These medical news articles may be relevant to Gum disease treatment:

• Oral health problems more prevalent in diabetics with poor sugar level control
• More treatment news »

Prevention of Gum disease:

Keep your teeth and gums healthy: NIDDK (Excerpt)

How can I keep my teeth and gums healthy?

• Keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible.
  
  
• Use dental floss at least once a day. Flossing helps prevent the buildup of plaque on your teeth. Plaque can harden and grow under your gums and cause problems. Using a sawing motion, gently bring the floss between the teeth, scraping from bottom to top several times.
  
  
• Brush your teeth after each meal and snack. Use a soft toothbrush. Turn the bristles against the gum line and brush gently. Use small, circular motions. Brush the front, back, and top of each tooth.
  
  

  Brush and floss your teeth and gums every day.

• If you wear false teeth, keep them clean.
  
  
• Ask the person who cleans your teeth to show you the best way to brush and floss your teeth and gums. Ask this person about the best toothbrush and toothpaste to use.
  
  
• Call your dentist right away if you have problems with your teeth and gums.
  
  
• Call your dentist if you have red, sore, or bleeding gums; gums that are pulling away from your teeth; a sore tooth that could be infected; or soreness from your dentures.
  
  
• Get your teeth and gums cleaned and checked by your dentist twice a year.
  
  
• If your dentist tells you about a problem, take care of it right away.
  
  
• Be sure your dentist knows that you have diabetes.
  
  
• If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking.

Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)

You can prevent gum disease by removing plaque. Thoroughly brush and floss your teeth each day. Carefully check your mouth for early signs of disease such as red, swollen, or bleeding gums. See your dentist regularly every 6-12 months - or at once if these signs are present. (Source: excerpt from Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)

An important part of good oral health is knowing how to brush and floss correctly. Thorough brushing each day removes plaque. Gently brush the teeth on all sides with a soft bristle brush using a fluoride toothpaste. Circular and short back-and-forth strokes work best. Take the time to brush carefully along the gum line. Lightly brushing your tongue also helps to remove plaque and food debris and makes your mouth feel fresh.

In addition to brushing, using dental floss is necessary to keep the gums healthy. Proper flossing is important because it removes plaque and leftover food that a toothbrush cannot reach. Your dentist or dental hygienist can show you the best way to brush and floss your teeth. If brushing or flossing results in bleeding gums, pain, or irritation, see your dentist at once.

An antibacterial mouthrinse, approved for the control of plaque and swollen gums, may be prescribed by your dentist. The mouthrinse is used in addition to careful daily brushing and flossing.

Some people (with arthritis or other conditions that limit motion) may find it hard to hold a toothbrush. To overcome this, the toothbrush handle can be attached to the hand with a wide elastic band or may be enlarged by attaching it to a sponge, styrofoam ball, or similar object. People with limited shoulder movement may find brushing easier if the handle of the brush is lengthened by attaching a long piece of wood or plastic. Electric toothbrushes are helpful to many. (Source: excerpt from Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)

Prevention Claims: Gum disease

Information on prevention of Gum disease comes from many sources. There are some sources that claim preventive benefits for many different diseases for various products. We may present such information in the hope that it may be useful, however, in some cases claims of Gum disease prevention may be dubious, invalid, or not recognized in mainstream medicine. Please discuss any treatment, discontinuation of treatment, or change of treatment plans with your doctor or professional medical specialist.