Have you made any resolutions for 2026? If so, why not add caring for your smile? With the right steps, you can lower your risk of gum disease and keep your smile whole! In today’s blog, your Brooklyn, NY, periodontist and dental implant expert talks about gum disease prevention in 2026!
The Causes of Poor Gum Health
As periodontists, we understand the importance of good gum health. You need to care for your smile to protect it from periodontal disease, which can not only causes discomfort, but lead to loose and missing teeth if the issue reaches the periodontitis stage. What cause your gums to become diseased? Factors like plaque buildup, poor brushing and flossing, tobacco use, a diet high in sugar and starch, and lack of professional cleaning could allow the gums to become inflamed. A family history of the disease could be a factor, as could inflammatory illnesses like diabetes. When we examine your smile, we want to assess the cause and severity of your disease so we know how to treat it, managing the issue to keep your smile whole and healthy.
The Symptoms of Trouble
How do you know if you need to see our team for periodontic care? Warning signs of gingivitis, or gum inflammation, could include sore and red gums. As the issue progresses into disease, you could experience bleeding when you brush or floss, or even swelling in the tissues. You may also experience recession in the later stages, in which the gums pull away from the teeth so the teeth appear longer. This complication also exposes sensitive portions of the roots not protected by enamel, so you have a higher risk of tooth decay and infection. When you have persistent pain and discomfort in your gums, then let us know right away so we can conduct an examination and see what care is needed to protect your periodontal health.
Examining Your Smile
Our team will start by examining your smile with digital imaging. With options like digital x-rays and CT cameras, we can look closely at your gums and also assess any attachment loss or damage to the connective tissues and underlying bone structure. These imaging systems use 90% less radiation and provide instant high-definition images chairside, so you spend less time in the chair. These images allow us to conduct a diagnosis with precision and accuracy, so we can formulate a treatment plan to manage the issue and prevent the loss of your natural teeth.
Laser Treatment
With advanced dental laser systems, we can use a soft-tissue laser to help address and manage periodontal disease. With dental lasers, we can target diseased areas of your gums with precision, removing them and in the process, reshaping the gum line for better esthetics. This technology also destroys pockets of harmful bacteria too. The procedure takes one visit and since we don’t need scalpels or sutures, the area heals quickly and the risk of bleeding, infection, and swelling is much lower. The process also requires little to no anesthesia in many cases.
Other Management Options
Following your treatment with dental lasers, we can help manage the issue with preventive treatment every three to four months. With Supportive Periodontal Maintenance, we can help control buildup on the teeth and prevent inflammation by removing plaque and tartar. We could also discuss medications to control bacteria, and even Ozone Therapy to also keep harmful bacteria in check. Our team will discuss how to protect your smile from home.
Better Homecare Habits
At home, you can help control poor oral health and keep your gums in good health with daily brushing and flossing. We also suggest cutting back on foods high in sugar and starch, and instead adding options with Vitamins C and D, and selections that contain Omega-3 fatty acids. Try to avoid tobacco use too, and make time to see your general dentist for checkups and cleanings, or our team for management. If you have any questions about how we protect your gum health and safeguard your smile, or if you would like to see us before the year comes to a close and your 2025 dental insurance benefits expire, then reach out to our office today to get started. We want to help you enjoy good oral health and a full smile in 2026 and beyond!
Brooklyn Periodontics Provides Improved Gum Health
Our team wants to help you avoid gum disease now and throughout 2026 and beyond. For more information on addressing gum disease, then please call Brooklyn Periodontics & Implantology in Brooklyn, NY at (718) 444-3800 today.
