Periodontal disease can ruin your teeth and oral health. Your Greensburg and Johnstown, PA, periodontist, Dr. Anthony Marchionno could help you prevent and treat periodontal disease.
What is Periodontal Disease?
Periodontal disease, known also as gum disease, occurs due to bacterial buildup in your mouth especially around your gums and other surrounding tissues of your teeth.
Bacterial growth and accumulation cause a buildup of plaque and gum swelling.
Gum disease typically begins as gingivitis which is the inflammation of your gums due to plaque buildup around your teeth. As the condition progresses to periodontal disease, your gums begin to pull away from your teeth and are susceptible to bleeding whenever you brush your teeth.
In advanced periodontal disease, your teeth could lose their support and eventually fall out. Poor oral health practices such as not brushing your teeth regularly can set you up for periodontal disease.
Other risk factors for periodontal disease include hormonal changes, genetics, and smoking.
How to Prevent Periodontal Disease
These tips can help you keep periodontal disease at bay.
Brush Your Teeth
Your mouth is full of bacteria and when you don't brush regularly, these bacteria and other particles in your mouth can accumulate to form plaque. Brushing your teeth regularly will help reduce bacterial accumulation.
The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste for your oral health.
Floss
Even when you brush correctly, your toothbrush can't reach specific areas of your mouth like between your teeth. Brushing your teeth alone might not be effective at preventing periodontal disease.
Flossing at least once a day is a good oral practice that can help you keep gum disease away.
Mouthwash
Swishing mouthwash is the third step of your daily oral routine that you don't want to skip. It's effective at killing oral bacteria and helps prevent plaque build-up and gum disease.
See Your Periodontist
Your Greensburg periodontist, Dr. Anthony Marchionno, can identify periodontal disease in its early stages even before you start seeing symptoms. Annual exams at your periodontist's office can help you deal with gum disease before it becomes worse.
Quit Smoking
Smoking tobacco significantly pushes your risk of getting periodontal disease up. Giving up smoking can reduce your chances of getting gum disease.
Managing Your Risk
Hormonal changes, medication, genetics, and specific health conditions can increase your chances of getting periodontal disease. If you're in Greensburg or Johnstown, PA, you might benefit from routine appointments with your periodontist, Dr. Anthony Marchionno to manage your risks.
Protect your teeth and gums. Call Dr. Anthony Marchionno on the following lines to set up your appointment:
Greensburg (724) 836-2911
Johnstown (814) 262-7000