Taking Steps to Protect Your Teeth and Gums After a Periodontal Disease Diagnosis

Upon visiting the dental office, you may have discovered you have periodontal disease. The disease is caused by bad bacteria in the mouth. The best way to prevent the disease is to practice good oral hygiene habits. Because you've already been diagnosed with the disease, there is no way to reverse the damage it may have caused thus far, but there are ways to keep it under control. The best way to keep the disease from getting any worse is to take very good care of your teeth and gums.

Take Plaque Seriously

When a person has periodontal disease, it's usually because he or she had a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth for quite some time. Although you may brush regularly, there is a possibility you often forget to floss. Don't worry – you're certainly not the only person who forgets to floss. However, it's something you should make sure you're regularly doing to remove food particles and plaque. If you aren't getting rid of the food particles or plaque, the bacteria will only start to spread throughout the mouth, contributing to the periodontal disease.

Floss More Often

There are a few different ways to handle plaque directly. Aside from flossing after each meal and when you're done brushing, you might want to consider investing in a water flosser. These tools are commonly used by dental professionals during a routine dental cleaning. The dental professionals use these types of tools because they're effective at removing plaque, bacteria, and food particles at such a fast pace. If you use a water flosser regularly, you may see such a significant improvement in the way your teeth look while you work on keeping your teeth and gums healthier.

Don't Forget to Use a Good Mouthwash

Another great way to keep your teeth and gums healthy is to rinse with a mouthwash that fights bacteria and plaque. Numerous anti-bacterial mouthwash products are available on the market, many of which help to eliminate plaque, freshen breath, and protect the teeth against decay. If you're not already using mouthwash, now is a good time for you to invest in a quality product that will benefit your mouth for years to come.

Finding out you have periodontal disease may have been quite frightening and even frustrating. While it's not something you can just get rid of, there are different steps you can take to keep your teeth and gums healthier while protecting them from future problems. Make sure you're getting rid of the plaque on and between your teeth. Use dental floss, a water flosser, and a good mouthwash that will help fight off the bacteria.

Contact a local periodontics office for more information and assistance.