Periodontitis is a serious infection of the gums that surround your teeth.  This disease can lead to gum recession, loose teeth, bone loss, cavities, bad breath, and even worse possibilities if the infection spreads into the rest of your body.  Periodontitis is not something you should ignore or treat lightly, and instead, you should take the following steps to make sure you’ll be able to keep your teeth and keep that infection from entering your bloodstream.

1.     Visit Your Dentist

If you suspect you have a serious case of gingivitis or periodontitis, don’t wait for the six-month checkup to visit your dentist.  And if you haven’t been visiting your dentist as often as you should, then now is definitely the right time to go back.  Your dentist will be able to give your mouth a thorough examination and scrape away the plaque and tartar that have built up, and they’ll know what sort of medication and other treatments you should use to cure the disease.

2.     Floss Thoroughly

Flossing does more than just remove the food stuck between your teeth, it also clears out the plaque that builds up in those spaces and along your gum line.  Gingivitis and periodontitis often begin because the bacteria that cause plaque to build up along and under your gum line, and as they get in your gums become red, swollen, and infected.  Flossing might not feel pleasant, but the worst of the pain goes away after the first couple days and it helps protect both your teeth and gums.

3.     Use A Mouth Rinse

A good mouthwash can kill bacteria in places where your toothbrush and floss can’t reach, and that’s always a good thing when you have a bacterial infection in your mouth.  In fact, your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse as part of the basic treatment plan.  Still, whether it’s recommended or not you should be careful about which type of mouthwash you use and for how long.  Alcohol-based mouthwashes tend to dry the mouth out, and that can make a bacterial infection worse instead of better.

4.     Keep Brushing

Brushing can become harder when it doesn’t take much for your gums to start bleeding.  However, you shouldn’t let something like that stop you, especially since regular brushing will keep your teeth healthy and reduce the bacteria population in your mouth.  Instead, you should switch to a periodontal toothbrush with soft bristles designed to go easy on your gums and teeth.  With a periodontal toothbrush, you can continue to brush and keep any bleeding from your gums to a minimum.

One option when you’re choosing the right toothbrush is ZentFlex.  ZentFlex features a set of soft bristles that will keep your teeth and gums safe from over-brushing, and it also has a special handle that snaps back if you try to apply too much pressure.  This toothbrush can help you or your children learn how to brush the right way, and it’ll go easy on your gums when you’re dealing with periodontitis.