With the frequency of gum disease – as well as the abundance of adverts claiming to aid its treatment – it is easy to think that the illness is a large and unavoidable danger. But is this truly the case? According to the NHS, a majority of adults in the UK are likely to suffer from some form of gum disease; however, it does not necessarily have to be an inevitability.
If you’re scared of developing gum disease, you can rest assured that it can be prevented in most cases by staying on top of oral hygiene at home and seeing your dentist and hygienist for checkups. For more serious forms of periodontitis, help is still available to restore healthy gums. To simplify matters, we’ve broken this article down into three main categories: what to do, what to avoid, and what to watch for. Let’s dive in!
How To Take Care Of Your Gums
Brushing
Having proper dental hygiene is absolutely essential; brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily should never be neglected or skipped due to time constraints. We highly suggest using an electric toothbrush to achieve a higher level of cleaning that is more difficult to obtain using a manual brush. Additionally, the size of an electric toothbrush provides an easier ability to access and clean the hard-to-reach spots of the back of teeth.
When brushing, use a moderate pressure to avoid gum damage. If done improperly or with too much force, it can lead to receding gums. An electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor can help monitor and prevent excessive force.
Flossing
At least once a day you should include flossing to clean between teeth and remove plaque that any toothbrush is going to struggle to reach.
Contrary to popular belief, flossing is not just for getting rid of food particles. It is mainly used to eradicate plaque from the teeth. On the other hand, mouthwash cannot remove the plaque from your teeth and is therefore not an appropriate substitute for brushing or flossing.
Visit your dentist & hygienist
Although we can all look for signs of gum disease, only a professional can truly identify if gingivitis or periodontitis is present. Regular dental check-ups help make sure any issues are identified and dealt with in their earliest stages, preventing the issue from worsening over time. Taking preventative measures such as proper bushing is essential, as it only takes a small amount of neglect to cause damage.
What to avoid if you want healthy gums
Food
Foods high in sugar have the potential to cause inflammation in the gums, which is why recent research suggests avoiding them to maintain healthy oral tissue. Some great anti-inflammatory alternatives to consider including in your diet are ginger and cranberries. These foods help to promote healthy gums, ensuring that your teeth and gums remain healthy.
Smoking
Smoking is another thing that should be avoided, especially for your oral health. Anyone who smokes has six times the risk of suffering from gum disease! Smokers will take much longer to recover from gum disease due to a hindered healing process.
Stress
Stress has many health implications and a strong correlation to gum disease is just one of them. It’s good to be aware of the impact stress has on your oral health and if nothing else try to maintain a good dental routine and avoid resorting to stress relief in the form of cigarettes, coffee and alcohol.
Conclusion
To conclude, you should follow these three simple steps;
- Maintain good oral hygiene
- Follow a health diet and lifestyle
- Attend regular check-ups
All these can help you stay on the right course for healthy gums. If you have any concerns over your oral health, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Glandwr Dental Practice.
