The way to prevent gum disease is to eat right, brush and floss at least twice a day, see your dentist at least twice a year for dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings, and don't smoke, drink to excess or do anything else that would impair your general health.

In other words, having a healthy mouth means practicing a healthful lifestyle, because you just can't separate your dental health from your overall health! In fact, some studies point to the concept that underlying health problems can actually cause gum disease when they occur and proper preventive dental health measures are not taken.

In fact, as more research studies are done, more indicators appear that link poor dental health to heart disease, cancer and other bodily ills, which provide additional reasons for keeping your teeth scrupulously clean by brushing and flossing at least twice a day and seeing your dentist for a professional teeth cleaning and evaluation of your dental state at least twice a year.

So, to take great care of your gums and prevent gum disease, take great care of your body as well as your teeth!