Unfortunately, gum disease is very common. Fortunatel,y it is treatable at David Rice DDS in Elgin.
Here’s some simple ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
If you keep your teeth and gums healthy, you will only need to visit the dentist for cleanings and checkups, not major treatment.
- Brush for two to three minutes, at least twice a day, with fluoridated toothpaste. Be sure to brush along the gumline. Clean away the fragments of food. Don’t brush too hard, but be thorough. Scrubbing your gums aggressively can be painful and is a BIG don’t.
- Floss daily to remove plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. Don’t like to floss? Try a floss holder, which makes it much easier to insert floss between teeth. But get over your aversion to flossing, unless you want decay or periodontitis (advanced gum disease).
- Although not a substitute for brushing and flossing, using a mouth rinse can prevent plaque accumulation and keep your enamel strong. Remember that fluoride mouth rinses are not the same as mouthwashes. Mouthwashes have alcohol and are designed to freshen breath. (But they can worsen dry mouth which can cause other problems.)
- Eat a healthy diet. Starchy and sugary foods increase plaque. A nutritious diet provides the nutrients necessary (Vitamins A and C, in particular) to keep teeth and gums healthy.
- Skip cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, which may lead to gum disease or oral cancer. While you’re at it, avoid E-cigarettes too.
- Be aware that certain medications can also threaten a healthy mouth. These include oral contraceptives, antidepressants and heart medicines. If your medications are affecting your dental health, talk to us about it.
- Exercise preventive care and schedule regular checkups — the ideal way to detect early signs of gum disease and make a plan to reverse it.
- Talk to us about dental health topics such as old, broken fillings or crowded teeth.
- If you grind your teeth, talk to us about ways to protect your teeth.
At David Rice DDS in Elgin, we want all our patients to have healthy teeth and gums. We treat gum disease, and offer complete general dentistry services. Call for an appointment today!
Contact David A. Rice, DDS:
847-741-2353
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1972 Larkin Ave Ste 1
Elgin, Illinois
60123
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