Oral Health: Don't Ignore Your GumsOral Health: Don't Ignore Your Gums

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Oral Health: Don't Ignore Your Gums

When you go to your dentist, you are likely concerned about cavities and the stains on your teeth. If you are like me, then you probably never thought much about your gums. Unfortunately, this caused me to form a serious gum recession condition. My dentist said that hard brushing practices, poor flossing techniques, and even the consumption of sugary foods led to the recession. After some deep scaling treatments, I was informed that I needed a gum graft procedure. The gums are extremely important to your health. They provide your teeth with the nutrients they need and they protect the sensitive dental roots. The gums even keep bacteria away from your jaw bone. Don't ignore your gums like I did. Read my blog and learn about proper oral care techniques. Prevention practices can easily save your gums from necessary restoration.

5 Tips To Avoid Gum Disease

27 September 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Gum disease is pretty common in adults and fairly easy to treat if it is caught early. However, if gum disease progresses into the later stages, it can have devastating effects, including tooth loss and heart problems. If you take better care of your oral health, you can reduce your risk. Here are five helpful tips to avoid gum disease:

Stop Smoking

If you smoke cigarettes, you should definitely think about stopping for the sake of your gums. Tobacco smoke can lower your immune system and increase your risk of gum infections. Quitting this habit certainly is no work in the park, so you should consider asking your doctor for advice.

Eat More Vitamin C Rich Foods

Vitamin C is known for boosting your immune system and protecting you against illnesses. Did you know that it can also reduce your risk of gum disease? When you eat vitamin C rich foods, you can prevent bacteria from infecting  your gums. Aim to include more strawberries, oranges, papaya and bell peppers in your daily diet.

Clean Your Tongue

There is more to good hygiene than brushing your teeth and flossing your teeth. You also have to clean your tongue regularly. If you don't, the food particles and plaque that accumulate on your tongue can transfer to your gums and cause an infection. Every morning, remove bacteria from your tongue with a tongue scraper.

Do not Skip Dental Cleanings

If your oral health seems to be in good shape, you might think about skipping your six month dental cleaning. However, you should always make it to your dental cleanings. During the appointment, the dental hygienist will remove hardened plaque underneath your gums that you weren't able to get rid of. Regular professional cleanings will help you keep your gums in good health.

Chew Sugar Free Gum

Another way you can minimize your risk of gum disease is to chew sugar free gum after meals. The gum will increase saliva productions in your mouth, which can help wash away food particles and prevent your gums from getting infected.

Gum disease can get pretty serious, so it is best to avoid it in the first place. If you follow these helpful tips, you can lower risk of developing this oral health condition. However, if your gums start to look puffier or redder than normal, make an appointment to see a dentist like The Family Dentist.