Prevent gum disease with these tips from Manhattan Beach, CA dentist

Gum disease is incredibly common – in fact, it affects over half of the adults in the United States each year. But just because a lot of people have it does not mean that it isn’t a serious health issue! Gum disease can take a massive toll on your oral health, leading to gum recession and even tooth loss, and has also been linked to deadly conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, and some types of cancer. Take steps to prevent gum disease by following these tips from Manhattan Beach, CA dentist, Dr. Don Mungcal.

Brush at least twice per day

Gum disease prevention starts with you! To prevent gingivitis and the more serious form of gum disease, periodontitis, it is important to brush your teeth after every meal, or at least twice per day.

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Brush for a full two minutes
• Use a high-quality toothpaste that has the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance
• Make sure you are brushing with the proper technique – if you are unsure, ask Dr. Mungcal or one of the members of our team at Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions and we will be happy to show you

Floss every day

We have all heard jokes about how people only floss on the day they visit the dentist. Trust us – we understand how easy it is to skip flossing, but, it is one of the most critical ways to keep your gums healthy and prevent gum disease. When you floss, you eliminate bacteria, food, and plaque from the hard-to-reach spaces between your teeth and gums, which is exactly where these disease-causing materials like to hide. Make flossing one of your regular habits by putting your floss in an easy-to-see location on your bathroom counter and flossing at the same time each day.

Visit your dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups

With great home care, you can keep your teeth and gums clean on a regular basis. But visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleanings is essential to remove any extra plaque and tartar that have built up – brushing and flossing at home cannot get rid of tartar once it has formed. In addition, at a professional cleaning, we polish your teeth to help make it harder for bacteria and plaque to attach to their surface, and we perform a thorough examination to catch any issues at an early stage when they are easiest to treat.

To schedule your check-up and cleaning, call Manhattan Beach Dental Solutions today at 310-340-6663!