Causes of Periodontitis Periodontitis, or periodontal disease, is caused by failing to properly take care of your teeth through brushing and flossing regularly. Throughout the day, bacteria builds up on the teeth and, when not properly cleaned, will turn into plaque and eventually tartar or calculus. Once this happens, a bacterial infection known as gum disease starts. It causes a flare-up in the gums and oral tissues. If gum disease is not adequately reversed, then periodontitis will form. Once it hits this stage, it is no longer reversible, only manageable. Steps to Prevent Periodontitis To avoid gum diseases like gingivitis or severe gum disease like periodontitis, follow these steps to ensure your oral health is intact: 1. Regular dental checkups Most people want to avoid dental checks up because they can feel unnecessary and time-consuming. However, it is vital to your oral health to partake in these regularly. Now, you don't have to visit the dentist every month, but you should head to the dentist every six months to ensure everything is in check and you're in a good place with your tooth and gum health. 2. Flossing at least once a day (preferably at night) It is common to see people overlook flossing in their dental routine. It can often seem tedious and unnecessary, but it is one of the most critical pieces of the dental routine. Flossing helps to remove any leftover food you consumed throughout the day that brushing couldn't. Flossing also removes plaque buildup from below the gum line to prevent the buildup of tartar, thus preventing gum disease. 3. Brushing twice a day for at leeast two minutes Every morning, and night, you want to remember to brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush to remove any plaque film residue. Brushing twice a day helps keep your tooth enamel strong and your overall oral health up and up. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid damage to the enamel surface and gum line. 4. Using mouthwash after every brush Using mouthwash freshens your breath and cleans off the tongue, cheeks, and palate (roof of the mouth. Mouthwash fights against gingivitis, cavities, and tooth decay and reduces plaque buildup. It is never recommended to use mouthwash in place of brushing or flossing. 5. Limit these specific foods or beverages White bread is made from starches that quickly become a liquidated substance that gets trapped between your teeth. This creates an opening for bacteria in your mouth to grow, worsening plaque buildup. Soda, along with sports drinks and alcohol, is pure sugar. This means that if you're not regularly practicing a proper dental routine, the sugar will cake onto your teeth, eroding the tooth enamel and eventually destroying your mouth's integrity, causing the tooth to rot. The bacteria from that will attack your gums. While eating fruit is excellent for your health, ensure you rinse out your mouth after eating any citric fruits. Their acidic nature can be very damaging to your tooth enamel, causing little to no protection for your gums and oral health. Lastly, you must limit sticky and sugary candies if you can't avoid them. These candies can easily get stuck between your teeth and on the tooth's surface, causing a giant cesspool of opportunity for bacteria to attack your tooth integrity and gums. It is highly recommended that if you consume these sweets, brush and floss as soon as you are done to limit the chance of immediate plaque buildup. Periodontitis is the most serious form of gum disease and, in severe situations, will result in tooth loss. Therefore, it is essential to not only your dentist but a periodontist to ensure you're doing everything you can to keep your oral health strong. These few tricks are simple ways for you to avoid a lifetime of dental issues.
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