Keeping Your Gums Healthy While In Quarantine

During the COVID-19 crisis, it can feel easy to let your gum health slip to the backburner of your priority list. The only problem with that is that it could leave you vulnerable to developing gum disease, one of the most common oral health problems in the nation. With the extra time on your hands while you’re in quarantine, you can optimize your gum health and keep your smile looking and feeling healthy. Read on to learn more about warding off the harmful effects of gum disease from your dentist in Southlake, so you don’t become a part of a statistic.

How Does Gum Disease Develop?

Gum disease typically develops due to poor dental hygiene or underlying conditions that impact the immune system, like diabetes. If your mouth isn’t able to fight off the army of harmful oral bacteria, it will cause an accumulation of acid and toxins that directly impact your gums.

The early stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. This exhibits less-serious symptoms and can be reversed by your dentist in Southlake with timely treatment. However, when gingivitis is left to progress into advanced periodontitis, it can cause permanent damage to your mouth. That’s why it’s important to visit the dentist every six months for a thorough checkup and cleaning.

What Can You Do to Prevent Gum Disease?

There are countless ways you can prevent gum disease besides just maintaining good oral hygiene. Here are some tips and tricks to boost your gum health while you’re in self-isolation due to COVID-19:

• Maintain a nutritious diet.
• Take vitamins and minerals that keep your mouth healthy, such as calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and phosphorus.
• Don’t forget to floss and rinse your mouth with antimicrobial mouthwash.
• Quit bad oral habits such as smoking.

For additional tips, you can also ask your dentist during your next checkup and cleaning.

What are the Signs of Gum Disease?

Depending on the stage of gum disease, this oral health problem can cause a variety of symptoms and signs. As long as you’re aware of what those are, you’ll be able to increase your chances of catching the issue before it’s too late. Here are some common signs of gum disease:

• Bleeding, swollen, or tender gums
• Dental sensitivity
• Gum recession
• Chronic bad breath
• Loose teeth
• Permanent tooth loss
• Pain while chewing

The best way to address any of these symptoms is to visit your dentist in Southlake for an oral examination. There, they can diagnose what stage your gum disease is in and develop a customized treatment plan to treat or reverse the issue and preserve your smile.

With all of the stress you’re going through due to COVID-19 and quarantine right now, the last problem you need on your plate is a serious oral issue. By remaining diligent about taking care of your gums while you’re self-isolating, you can come out of quarantine feeling great about your health and smile.

About the Author

Dr. Lee Pettigrew is an experienced dentist who is passionate about helping his patients preserve their smiles and optimize their oral health. He offers comprehensive dental care, including customized periodontal therapy to address signs of gum disease. He also regularly completes advanced education courses to keep up-to-date with the latest advancements in his field. For questions or to learn more about gum disease treatment, visit his website or call 817-481-4888.