How a General Dentist Helps Prevent Gum Disease

A general dentist is one of your first lines of defense against gum disease through preventive treatment. With biannual dental cleanings and professional treatments, a dentist can help you avoid tooth loss and invasive procedures. This professional dental care can give you a leg up in the fight against gum disease and help you maintain oral health at home.

The importance of preventing gum disease

Also known as periodontal disease, gum disease is an infection of the gums and tissues supporting the teeth. Though genetics and other factors play a role, it is largely the result of poor dental hygiene. Left unchecked, poor dental hygiene can lead to tooth loss and aggravate other health issues. However, if caught early, it is possible to reverse gum disease completely. Along with professional dental care, patients must maintain at-home care to keep their mouth free of periodontal disease.

Ways a general dentist can help

The two key ways a general dentist can help prevent gum disease involve checkups and cleanings combined with dental education.

Dental checkups

The most hands-on way a general dentist helps prevent gum disease is through checkups and cleanings. These two things typically happen during the same dental appointment, and it is recommended that a person have them once every six months. More frequent appointments may be necessary for some, and only once a year may work for others. However, the standard recommendation is once every six months. These appointments allow dentists to catch signs of trouble early so they can take action before gum disease progresses.

Dental cleanings

During the standard dental cleaning, the dentist (or their hygienist) cleans plaque and tartar build-up from the teeth and gum line. This helps prevent cavities and the earliest stage of gum disease, gingivitis, from setting in. Even if gingivitis does set in, a general dentist can help the patient prevent it from becoming an irreversible form of gum disease.

Typically, the dentist will recommend a deep cleaning known as scaling and root planing. During this procedure, the dentist removes plaque and tartar build-up from above and below the gum line. Then, the practitioner smooths the roots so the gums attach more snugly to the teeth. This procedure may help reverse gingivitis before it progresses to periodontitis.

Dental education

It is essential for the patient to know how to prevent gum disease. Along with regular cleanings, the dentist will advise the patient on what they can do at home to prevent gum disease and warning signs to watch for. The dentist can also recommend additional treatments that can indirectly aid in gum disease prevention, such as a mouth guard for bruxism, teeth straightening, or gum contouring. When advising the patient, the dentist will consider their dental history, risk factors, and unique situation.