Oral health goes beyond your teeth alignment or how bright your smile teeth are; you can’t forget your gums. The health of your gums significantly determines your overall oral health. If you have gum disease and fail to seek treatment, you risk serious problems, including tooth loss. Early forms of Monterey gum disease can improve with teeth cleaning from your dentist and a healthy oral hygiene routine at home. Fortunately, gum disease is preventable; here are several tips to keep your gums healthy.
Stay hydrated
Saliva is one of your body’s best defenses against dental plaque. After eating, your body produces more saliva to wash away food particles. Drinking plenty of water ensures you are well-hydrated and have enough saliva in your mouth. Avoid drinks like coffee and alcohol, which cause dehydration.
Practice good oral hygiene
Gum disease progresses gradually, meaning you won’t wake up one day with a severe case of periodontitis. Therefore, good oral hygiene goes a long way in ensuring proper oral health. When you go several days without brushing your teeth, plaque, a sticky layer of microbes (plague), builds up o over time. Unless you brush and floss, plaque mixes with other minerals on your teeth and forms a hard substance called tartar. Unlike plaque which you can remove with cleaning, tartar requires professional cleaning.
If you don’t get a deep clean to remove the plaque and tartar, they inflame and irritate the gums, causing gum disease. Brushing and flossing prevent plaque formation and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Eat a balanced diet
A balanced diet is not only good for your gums and teeth, but it is also vital for your overall health. Avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks that can result in tooth decay. When you eat sugary foods, the bacteria in plaque feed on the food particles, releasing an acid that can damage your gums and teeth. When shopping for groceries, check the nutrition information on packages. Many foods and drinks packaged as healthy items may contain high sugar levels.
Include vitamin C in your diet
Vitamin C deficiency is mainly known for scurvy, but it is also one of the main causes of gum disease. For this reason, eat fruits rich in vitamin c, including strawberries, oranges, and kiwi. If you can’t get enough vitamin C from fruits, talk to your healthcare provider about vitamin C supplements; these can also build your resistance to gum disease. Vitamin C has healing properties that prevent your gums from swelling and bleeding- classic gum disease signs and symptoms.
Get regular teeth cleanings.
Professional cleanings allow your dental hygienist to remove plaque and tartar from your teeth, which helps prevent gum disease. Regular visits also aid the dentist in detecting early gum disease symptoms and offer treatment to prevent disease progression. Instead of visiting your dentist when you have a problem, make routine visits every six months; this will help you maintain or improve your oral health.
Even patients with periodontitis can still benefit from dental cleanings. Dentists offer scaling and root planing to eliminate all plaque and tartar in the teeth and roots.
If you have swollen and bleeding gums, visit your dentist at Perio & Implant Center for treatment to improve your oral health.
