7 Ways to Protect Against Gum Disease
A lot of people don’t take gum disease as seriously as they should. If it goes untreated for long enough, gum disease can have a tremendous impact on your oral health and the health of the rest of your body including your heart, brain, and digestive system.
The bacteria that accumulate in your mouth can travel to other parts of your body and wreak havoc there. It’s important to recognize the symptoms and stages to know when to seek out treatment.
What You Might Be Feeling
The symptoms of gum disease can be subtle, which means many people don’t seek dental care until the disease is in its advanced stages. Here are a few symptoms to look out for:
- Bad breath
- Sore gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Tooth loss
- Pain when chewing
Bleeding and sore gums are not the norm! If you start seeing any of these symptoms, contact our dentist right away. Treatments for gum disease vary from case to case—from a simple deep cleaning to medication or surgery. The sooner you come in to see us, the faster we can help.
The Progression of Gum Disease
There are three main stages of gum disease.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis occurs when your gums become irritated by dental plaque. You may notice swelling, soreness, or bleeding when you brush your teeth. At this stage, gum disease is still reversible.
Periodontitis
By this point, your gum disease can no longer be cured, only managed. Our dentist can help you come up with a plan to keep your gum disease from progressing further.
Advanced Gum Disease
Advanced gum disease can cause permanent damage to the bone and tissue in your mouth, even causing teeth to fall out in some cases. Serious treatment is necessary to get this condition under control.
It’s important to get sensitive, swollen, or bleeding gums checked out as they can all be signs of gum disease. However, our Canton, MI gum disease dentists have some tips to prevent gum disease before it strikes. Here are 7 healthy habits to adopt in order to keep gum disease at bay.
1. Regular Dentist Visits
Seeing our Canton dentists regularly cannot be stressed enough. A routine teeth cleaning can help prevent gum disease by removing plaque hiding in between teeth and along the gum line. During your dental cleaning, our dentists will also be able to spot signs of gum disease like bleeding gums.
2. Good Dental Habits
Although this may seem obvious, good oral care is crucial for healthy gums. Brushing your teeth is important but not enough—especially when it comes to gum disease.
You should 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.
Watch out for “DIY teeth whitening” information you see online. A lot of it can actually hurt your teeth. Using an antimicrobial mouthwash low in alcohol can also be very beneficial to your oral health. Gingivitis treatment can be as simple as scheduling a dental teeth cleaning and practicing good oral hygiene.
3. Stop Smoking Cigarettes
Smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products have been known to cause countless health issues, especially gum disease. Tobacco products are very harmful to your gums and should be avoided at all costs.
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.
4. A Healthy Diet
Nothing helps more in preventing gum disease than . Be sure to avoid sugary foods and drinks as they 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 the best results.
5. Increase Your Vitamin C Intake
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 have. Vitamin C has healing properties that can stop your gums from swelling or bleeding while stabilizing loose teeth.
6. Drink Water
Staying hydrated is necessary for 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.
7. Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a non-invasive covering your dentist paints on your teeth after they’ve thoroughly cleaned them to help protect against bacteria and plaque that would otherwise build up in the divots and ridges of your teeth. Ask your dentist if they’re right for you.
Request an Appointment Today!
Our gum disease dentists in Canton, MI have years of experience helping patients fight periodontal disease. If you want a healthier smile request an appointment with Hometown Dental. Give our office a call at (734) 667-4941.