As February is National Gum Disease Awareness month it’s only fitting that we talk about gum health, or rather, how to improve it.
One of our main goals as dentists is to provide preventative care and part of this means giving people the tools and information they need to look after their smiles. Doing so helps patients avoid common dental problems like gum disease and by default, further dental visits. For this reason, we thought a post on how to improve gum health would be a good idea, but before we dive into the ins and outs of how to better look after your gums, it’s vital to understand why gum health is so important.
140 Million Americans Have Gum Disease
According to the CDC, 42% of Americans aged 30 and over have some form of gum disease – that’s around about 140 million people – 7.8% of which have severe periodontitis.
The thing is, those with advanced periodontal disease are at higher risk from cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks or strokes as well as diabetes and other chronic respiratory diseases.
But there’s more…
Gum disease is also the leading cause of tooth loss yet it’s 100% preventable. While early-stage gum disease known as gingivitis can be reversed with a little care and attention, advanced gum disease cannot.
Unsurprisingly, the problem won’t go away without some form of treatment. Therefore, it’s good to know how to improve gum health and keep your smile in tip-top condition before gum disease takes hold.
With this in mind, let’s dive in and take a look at how this is possible using these six simple but effective tips.
Utilize Effective Brushing
Brushing teeth is your first line of defense against gum disease. For best results use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a quality fluoride toothpaste to clean teeth and gums thoroughly. Also, ensure you brush at a 45-degree angle using gentle circular motions while brushing for at least 2-3 minutes at a time. If you want to know more about how to find the right toothbrush for you, check out this blog post.
Oh, and don’t forget to brush at least twice a day – once in the morning and again last thing at night. However, If you have the time to brush in between every meal then even better!
Incorporate Daily Flossing
Flossing is used alongside brushing to remove food particles and debris from hard-to-reach areas such as between the teeth and under the gumline. Although there is no hard evidence to suggest that flossing is absolutely necessary in the fight against gum disease, even sceptics of flossing admit that cleaning between teeth is good for you, so it’s well worth incorporating it into your routine.
If flossing is uncomfortable, or teeth provide little or no space to floss properly you can also use small interdental brushes or a water flosser that will do the same job.
Rinse with An Antibacterial Mouthwash
Antibacterial mouthwashes work by killing pathogenic bacteria and preventing further bacterial growth from forming biofilms – important in the formation of plaque. As plaque build-up is one of the main causes of early-stage gum disease (gingivitis), eradicating bacteria before it’s allowed to form a sticky layer can improve gum health and prevent the presence of gum disease.
As a top tip, look for mouthwashes specially designed to tackle plaque and gum disease and use them alongside brushing and flossing as part of your daily oral care routine.
Adopt A Balanced Diet
Did you know that a balanced diet isn’t only good for your overall health, it’s also good for your teeth and gums? For example, sugary drinks and snacks feed the bacteria that cause plaque and will increase the likelihood of plaque formation.
On the flip side, a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins is known to boost gum health by supporting tissue repair and reducing inflammation. Additionally, coarse, watery and fibrous foods like celery or apples help to stimulate saliva production, which in turn, assists in the removal of leftover food particles, while dairy products like cheese and yogurt help to strengthen teeth.
Essentially, if you want to start eating to improve gum health, begin by incorporating more fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet particularly those rich in antioxidants. Foods that contain higher levels of antioxidants like berries, kale and broccoli help to strengthen gums.
Remain Hydrated
Although US dietary guidelines don’t specify a specific daily water or fluid intake, it does acknowledge that onboarding regular fluid like water has a positive impact on saliva production which, in turn, plays a critical role in neutralizing acids that cause gum disease.
As a rough ballpark figure, we would recommend consuming somewhere between 5-8 glasses of fluid a day (around 2 liters). This includes fluid contained in tea, milk and low-sugar or sugar-free drinks.
Visit The Dentist Regularly
When there’s nothing wrong with our teeth, it can seem like visiting the dentist every six months or so is an unnecessary inconvenience but the reality is that regular visits are essential for staying on top of gum heath.
Did you know, for example, that most of the early signs of gum disease remain undetectable for quite some time? This means that many people don’t know they have a problem until the situation has advanced.
Here’s the good news…
Dental professionals are not only trained to spot the signs of gum disease early but can also carry out hygiene cleaning to remove any plaque build-up that brushing alone cannot. In other words, regular dental visits are added protection for your teeth and gums.
For optimal care, we recommend bi-annual visits where possible.
How To Improve Gum Health – Final Thoughts
As you can see, improving gum health doesn’t require any drastic measures. Instead, start by making small but effective adjustments to your routine. By brushing and flossing daily, using an antibacterial mouthwash and being mindful of your diet, these small changes will play a considerable part in ensuring your teeth and gums remain in good condition. Regular dental visits will also add that extra layer of protection, ensuring any problems or issues are dealt with quickly before they escalate.
If you’re curious about the current state of your gum health or would like some personalized guidance, get in touch with our experienced team at Mint Dental. We take the time to provide expert care and guidance for every patient while giving you all the tips and tools you need to remain healthy.
Call today at 907-318-8852 and request an appointment. Your journey toward a healthier mouth starts here!
