Gum diseases such as periodontitis or gingivitis are very common among the Spanish population, and they represent one of the main causes of tooth loss above the age of 35. However, these gum problems are not always obvious, for they don’t tend to cause pain and patients often don’t feel the swelling unless it is diagnosed by a specialist, the periodontist.
In this post, we explain 5 steps for preventing and treating gum diseases efficiently.
Step 1: Diagnostic
One of the most important steps for curing gums is distinguishing between periodontitis and gingivitis. To that end, we recommend visiting a specialized centre that counts on periodontists to perform radiographs and an exam known as a periodontogram, which is essential for a correct diagnosis.
Step 2: Professional treatment
Once the disease has been detected, it’s important to perform a good gum treatment. The periodontist will carry out a painless in-depth disinfection to eliminate all the bacteria that are inside the gums, and this treatment must be repeated every 4–6 months in order to avoid reactivating the disease.
Step 3: Tooth brushing
Brushing your teeth properly is the most important and efficient step for curing gums. One must brush three times a day for about three minutes and must go over all the surfaces of the teeth. The best thing is for a professional to teach you how to do it properly.
Step 4: Interdental brushing or dental floss
Many patients forget to brush their teeth with interdental brushes or dental floss. This is a fundamental step for curing gum diseases; it must be performed twice a day, and both the interdental brush and the dental floss must really rub against the teeth, not just pass through the gaps between teeth.
Step 5: Mouthwash and toothpaste
They complement the brushing, but should never be considered a standalone treatment, for in order for them to be effective, the bacteria on the teeth must have been previously removed by brushing and by professional in-depth disinfection of the gums.
As you see, taking good care of one’s gums is not complicated, but it does require constancy and regularity. If you suspect your gums might be affected by one of these problems, we encourage you to pay us a visit and, without committing to anything, we will perform a comprehensive analysis to let you know.