Things You Can Do To Protect Your Periodontal Health

Posted on: 26 January 2017

The health of your gums impacts other areas of your mouth. In fact, if gum disease is severe, it can even result in tooth and bone loss. Still, there are things that you can do to protect your periodontal health. Here are a few of them.

Use an Anti-microbial Mouth Rinse

A mouth rinse can do more than freshen your breath. It can protect the health of your gums. One of the main causes of gum inflammation is oral bacteria. The microbes aid in the production of two substances that negatively affect the gums: plaque and bacterial acid. 

Plaque is produced when food that is left in the mouth after meals and snacks mixes with oral bacteria. The substance is sticky and often adheres to the gums and teeth.

The acid is produced as a digestive byproduct when the microbes feed on carbohydrates in your mouth. Like other types of acid, bacterial acid is corrosive and inflammatory. By reducing the number of microbes in your mouth, anti-microbial rinses help eliminate gum irritants.

Most rinses uses antibacterial agents, such as chlorhexidine or alcohol. Both of these ingredients can kill oral bacteria, but chlorhexidine is often preferred because it does not dry out the mouth as alcohol does.

Try Water Flossing

An oral irrigator or water flosser directs a concentrated stream of water to help clean your mouth. The flosser can remove plaque and debris from between the teeth and along the gum line. In addition, the stream of water can help massage the gums to encourage healthy circulation. Some models even allow you to change the flow of water to make it pulsate for a greater massaging effect. 

Choose Xylitol-sweetened Mints and Gum

Sugar-free mints and gum do not usually promote gum disease, because they do not include a simple carbohydrate food source for the oral bacteria. 

Xylitol is a natural substance that is often used to sweeten sugar-free products. In addition to adding sweetness, the xylitol also helps control bacteria. The natural anti-microbial characteristics of the xylitol aid in promoting a healthy environment for the periodontal tissue. 

The xylitol-sweetened gum or mints can be placed in the mouth immediately following meals and snacks to realize the greatest benefit. 

To learn more about periodontal care, schedule an appointment with a dentist in your local area. He or she can assess the current state of your gums to suggest the best care plan for you. Visit websites like http://www.thefamilydentist-lakeland.com for more info.

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