Gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, a person can take many steps to prevent and even reverse gum disease.

  1. Brush teeth properly:
  • brush at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste;
  • replace your toothbrush every three to four months;
  • brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle to your gums;
  • move the toothbrush in short strokes and press gently; and,
  • clean the insides of the front teeth by turning the brush vertically and making several short strokes along each tooth.

 

  1. Choose the right toothpaste

When choosing a toothpaste, a person should ensure that it contains fluoride.

 

  1. Floss daily

Flossing removes food and plaque from between the teeth and gums. If food and plaque remain in these areas, this can lead to tartar, which is a hard build-up of bacteria that only a dentist can remove. Tartar can lead to gum disease.

 

  1. Rinse your mouth out with care

When a person washes their mouth out with water after brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, they wash away the fluoride. Conversely, when a person rinses their mouth out after eating, they may rinse away food and bacteria that can lead to plaque and tartar.

 

  1. Use mouthwash.

However, it is not a replacement for brushing or flossing.

 

  1. Get regular dental checkups

Dental checkups typically include a professional cleaning of the mouth. Professional cleaning is the only way to remove tartar.

 

  1. Stop smoking

Smoking makes a person more susceptible to gum disease because it weakens the immune system.

 

From: www.medicalnewstoday.com