Gum disease has been known to affect a majority of adults in the US and surprisingly, a majority of these people have little or no knowledge about gum diseases. Fortunately, you don’t have to know everything about it as you only need to know one set of methods: preventing gum disease. It doesn’t take much and you may already be doing it but just in case you need a quick review, here are the things you need to do to prevent periodontal disease.

Eat the right food
This is pretty basic but the general rule is to avoid sugary and starchy food as much as possible. You may eat the occasional cake but having it for every meal is just asking for trouble. If you’re asking what type of food to eat, the answer lies with fruits – particularly ones that are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C has been known to play a hand in the immune system as well as a vital part of recovery for damaged gums. So an apple a day, or even make that an orange has never been a bad idea.

Brush your teeth and floss
As simple as it sounds, not many people know how to properly brush and floss. If that includes you, here’s a quick rundown: brushing should be done using the “three rule” which means brushing your teeth three times a day, three minutes each time. This should be done in a smooth, circular manner using a soft bristle toothbrush – hard toothbrushes can damage the gums and may lead to gum recession. Additionally, flossing requires being done gently as it could damage the gums as well. Doing so is just as important as brushing as flossing gets rid of the food debris in between the teeth that can’t be reached through brushing.

Mouth rinse
This is optional but if you need that extra antiseptic protection, get an antibacterial mouthwash and use it daily. This gets rid of bacteria that may cause periodontal disease and oftentimes give a fresh, menthol scent for your breath. There are also certain kinds of dentist prescribed gums that you may look up – they have similar effects to mouthwashes and are good for your gums.

Visit your dentist
Even if you think you’re already doing a great job maintaining good dental health, you still need to visit your dentist for your regular checkup as you might be missing something or you might need additional cleaning. Do this every 6 months along with the previous methods and you’ll be on your way to a gum and periodontal disease free life.