Reducing Gum Disease Risk
Everyone dreads gum disease. But last-minute brushing really won’t help matters or can it?
Gingivitis and periodontitis are two forms of gum disease. Periodontitis is the more severe of the two. It is advisable to maintain regular visits and schedule extra cleanings and checkups if you have gum disease. The good news is that you can help prevent and possibly reverse it. Most People Don’t Visit the Dentist Twice a Year Visiting a dentist twice a year helps to catch things that would otherwise remain hidden. In the
case of gum disease, this is huge. Gum disease doesn’t just affect your mouth and your breath. It also can affect your heart and your overall health. This is because bacteria can enter your bloodstream through your gums and cause problems for the rest of your body. In fact, the
dentist is usually one of the first people to spot potential health issues. Regularly visiting the dentist helps reduce other oral issues as well.
Most People Don’t Brush Their Teeth Correctly Properly brushing your teeth can reduce the risk for gum disease. However, most people don’t
know how. For starters, you want a soft-bristled brush. You will want to hold your toothbrush at
a 45-degree angle to help clean the area between your teeth and your gum-line. Don’t be afraid to apply some pressure. If your gums bleed, it could be an early indication of gum disease. Regular brushing and flossing should alleviate this problem. Most People Don’t Floss If you brush your teeth correctly but don’t floss, your mouth will only be 60 percent clean, at
best. And this is assuming you haven’t accumulated any plaque from the last time you brushed. Think about what this does to your breath and your overall health. Bacteria in your mouth
creates a biofilm that adheres itself to the teeth, which causes tooth decay and gum disease. It is this bacteria that makes plaque. Most People Eat Too Much Sugar The average American diet is comprised largely of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, which are basically sugar, create the perfect environment for plaque to form. While you can’t, and shouldn’t, escape all carbohydrates, it is advisable to reduce the amount of simple
carbohydrates in your diet. Fruit, whole grain fiber and other types of grains have healthy
sugars, but these sugars can also increase plaque. Brushing your teeth after every meal is the ideal goal. However, if you are unable to, be sure to brush at least twice a day.
If gum disease wasn’t bad enough, the knowledge of bacteria in the mouth is unsettling.
Bacteria can multiply, form microcolonies and even develop a primitive circulatory system. If you find yourself in a position where you can’t brush or floss immediately, rinse your mouth or chew gum after a meal. Using mouthwash can also reduce bacteria to reduce your risk of gum
disease. Just remember that the less bacteria you have in your mouth the less likely it will be for you to develop gum disease.