Many patients develop gum disease because they haven’t been conscientious enough about their home oral hygiene routines. As a result, they’ll need to undergo some form of gum disease treatment, whether it is a deep cleaning to remove bacteria from underneath the gums or a surgical intervention to excise diseased tissue.
If you go back to your old habits after undergoing gum disease treatment, though, you are probably facing a greater risk for a relapse of gum disease.
To reduce your chances of making a return visit to the periodontist, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene habits after being treated for gum disease. In fact, you should discuss the appropriate oral care techniques and habits with your periodontist as part of the treatment planning process.
First of all, you should be sure to brush twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. Daily flossing will also help to reduce the presence of plaque and tartar that contain the oral bacteria that cause gum disease. Patients with a history of gum disease may also want to add a mouthwash to their regimen as an additional anti-bacterial measure.
Also, a history of gum disease makes it even more imperative for you to keep up with your semi-annual visits to your dentist for cleanings and exams. Sticking to such a schedule can give your dentist an opportunity to identify signs of gum disease at an earlier stage, when it can be more readily addressed.
Keep in mind that protecting your mouth against gum disease will also promote your overall health and wellness. A healthy mouth truly is the gateway to a healthy body, and gum disease has been linked to other conditions like heart disease and diabetes. It appears that the inflammation associated with all of those conditions shares some common characteristics. This can give patients a little extra motivation to take their oral health seriously after an experience with gum disease.
People who develop gum disease are at significant risk of a relapse. To limit the likelihood of that outcome, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene and keep routine visits with your dentist after an episode of gum disease.
