1. Your first line of defense against gum disease is regular and proper brushing and flossing. They can maintain the health of your teeth, gums, and the bones around your teeth. Brush your teeth after every meal and floss once a day to remove plaque. Develop the habit of using dental floss minimum once a day. Use non-waxed dental floss if possible, and place it under the gum line to scrape the tooth surface. You can also use other home care utilities such as tongue scraper, interdental toothbrush, mouthwash, electric toothbrush, and dental irrigator every day or at least five to six times a week. Proper dental care can prevent dental problems.

2. Avoid diets that are rich in sugar especially soda drinks. Even with diet soda, the acid in the soda can damage your teeth and gums. Cut down the intake of snacks. You should eat more fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. They can improve your oral health. They increase the production of saliva to help in the enameling of the tooth surfaces during the early stages of tooth decay. You can prevent gum disease by eating a healthy diet.

3. On your own, check for any signs of damage from tooth clenching or grinding.

4. If you have gum disease, don't share your drinks with your children and don't cool the food by blowing. Bacteria from your mouth can travel to your children if you ignore this advice.

5. Drink fluoridated water because bottled water usually don't contain fluoride. It can stop your teeth from decaying.

6. Quit smoking to prevent further damage to your gum and teeth. Smokers face seven times the risk of developing gum disease than non-smokers. A study shows that the need of root canal in male smokers are almost double compared to non smokers.

7. Visit your dentist for dental examinations and cleanings at least twice a year and dental x-rays once a year. Ask your dentist to examine your teeth for bite problems once a year. Checkups provide early detection of oral problems. It allows for prompt treatment before the gum disease become more severe.

Never treat dental problems lightly. They not only damage your gum and teeth but can lead to other serious health problems such as heart disease. Proper oral hygiene, good nutritional food, and regular dental visits can prevent dental problems from progressing into periodontitis.