Preventing Gum Disease: It’s in your Hands

Did you know that 80% of adults in America have gum disease? Are you aware that the condition of periodontal disease can cause major oral systemic health issues? This means that when your gums are infected and unhealthy, your overall health can greatly suffer as well. Fortunately, periodontal infections are preventable. Together, you and the Reno dentists at Wager Evans Dental can guard your health against gum disease through terrific preventive dental care, including six month dental cleanings and checkups.

Five Steps to Gum Disease Prevention

Step 1: Brush your teeth twice each day. Make sure you gently, but firmly, spend 30 seconds on each quadrant of your teeth which will add up to a total of two minutes (minimum) each time you brush. Be sure to gently clean and massage teeth and gums with a soft bristled toothbrush or soft electric toothbrush head. This removes plaque and bacteria, both of which can cause gum disease, without damaging your gum tissues the way hard bristles or over-aggressive brushing can.

Step 2: Floss at least once daily. This removes food debris, plaque, and bacteria from between teeth. You may prefer flossing after you brush, as many people do. However, if you think about it, flossing before you brush probably makes more sense so you aren’t left with food debris sitting on the surfaces of teeth.

Step 3: Eat a balanced diet. Cut down on refined sugars, sodium, and saturated fats and eat plenty of vegetables and fruit (especially apples, carrots, and celery, which clean your teeth). However, be aware of acids in some fruits, and allow 30 minutes for your enamel to re-harden before brushing teeth.

Step 4: Exercise regularly. A study by the Case Western Reserve University shows that exercising regularly and maintaining a normal weight can reduce severe gum disease risk by 30%.

Step 5: Visit Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans. Schedule dental checkups and cleanings every six months. Our dental team can make sure that your teeth are plaque-free and we will check for signs of gum disease. At Wager Evans Dental, we offer Perio Protect to protect your mouth even further.

Visit your Reno Dentists

Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans can help you fight the battle against gum disease. Call our Reno, NV, dental practice today at (775) 800-4845. We offer preventive dentistry to patients in Spanish Springs, Sparks, Incline Village, Dayton, Fernley, and the surrounding area.