If your gums are sore, bleeding, or receding, these may be . Other symptoms include pain while chewing, bad breath, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. Treatments for gum disease vary from case to case, from a simple deep cleaning to medication or oral surgery. The sooner you come in to see our Shelby Township, MI, dentists, the faster we can help.
Here are 6 ways you can protect yourself from gum disease.
To Avoid Gum Disease, You Can:
1. Commit to Your Oral Hygiene
Although this may seem obvious, good oral care is crucial for healthy gums. Brushing your teeth is not enough, especially when it comes to gum disease. You should also add flossing to your routine to reduce the risk of plaque building up and damaging your gums. When flossing, be sure to get up and under your gums to remove any plaque that’s hiding there.
Using a low in alcohol can also be beneficial to your oral health. Mouthwash, or any other drink, with a high alcohol content can dry out your mouth which promotes bacterial growth. can be as simple as scheduling a teeth cleaning with our dentists and practicing good oral hygiene at home.
2. Maintain Good Vitamin Levels
Vitamin C deficiency is one of the leading causes of gum disease. Including more vitamin C in your diet not only helps prevent gum disease, but can also help treat any symptoms you might currently have. Moreover, vitamin C has healing properties that can stop your gums from swelling or bleeding while stabilizing loose teeth.
3. Follow a Healthy Diet
Maintaininga healthy diet is the number one best thing you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Be sure to avoid or at the very least limit sugary foods and drinks as they can lead to tooth decay and gum damage.
Eating a balanced and nutritious diet filled with vitamins and minerals boosts your immunity and helps ward off many diseases, including gum disease. Try incorporating foods that are high in collagen, beta carotene, and omega-3s for best results.
4. Drink More Water
Staying hydrated is necessary in preventing gum disease, as well as promoting overall health. Drinking plenty of water produces more saliva which helps fight off bacteria that can cause gum infection.
5. Don’t Smoke or Use Tobacco
Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products has been known to cause countless health issues, especially gum disease. Tobacco products are very harmful to your gums and should be avoided no matter the cost.
Even other tobacco sources, such as chewing tobacco, cigars, and e-cigarettes are harmful to your gums. It’s best to steer clear of tobacco products altogether if you want healthy teeth and gums.
6. Attend Regular Dental Visits
Having regular dental appointments with our staff is crucial to maintaining and improving your oral health.
Only a dental professional like one of our hygienists can remove the buildup of tartar (hardened plaque) which over time will progress into gum disease if not properly treated. Also, our dentists will be able to spot any warning signs of gum disease during your appointment.
Request an Appointment
Our dentists in Shelby Township, MI have years of experience with helping patients combat gum disease. To request an appointment, call the dental office of Jeffrey T. Baker DDS PC at (586) 992-9222.
This blog post has been updated.
