Healthy Gums for Life
We all know we are supposed to brush our teeth daily, so why does 75% of the US population suffer from some stage of periodontal gum disease? You can probably guess this answer: people aren’t flossing regularly. It turns out that one of the most effective ways to immediately improve your dental health is to begin flossing daily just before bed. Flossing removes deposits between the teeth and at the gum line where bacteria breed and produce acids, which leads to cavities. Continual buildup of these deposits produce tartar, which can cause chronic gum inflammation, also called gingivitis. Tartar buildup can be removed at regular dental visits, but regular brushing and flossing can prevent formation of tartar in the first place. What are your options for flossing? The type of floss you choose will depend on your teeth. Floss varies in thickness and material type and can be tape or thread. If the gaps between your teeth are small, tape my be preferred. Experiment and find what suits you best.
Don’t think you have time to floss? Good flossing does take some time, but even flossing for 60 seconds can have enormous benefits. Make it easy, have floss in plain view next to your toothbrush and even pre-cut strips of floss if you think this will help. Another alternative is to use floss picks. This might be a good way to go if you have a hard time getting your fingers into your mouth or don’t like wrapping floss around your fingers.
If it hurts when you floss or your gum’s bleed, you might already have gingivitis or a more progressed condition. At this point, it is time to see a dentist. There are many options to treat gingivitis and periodontal disease. However, it is important not to put this off. Remember, gums are the foundation for your teeth, so gum problems can turn into teeth problems and even heart problems.
Remember – no matter what problems are making it difficult to floss, there are solutions, so consult your dentist to learn more.
What else can you do? The food you eat will also affect your gum health. Sugary or starchy foods lead to bacteria accumulation, which produce dental decay-causing acid, so avoid food high in simple sugars and starch. It has been shown that both calcium and vitamin C can help maintain gum health. Vitamin D and cranberry are also purported to help remedy gum disease.
Regardless of your diet, the best way to keep your gums healthy is good dental hygiene and regular visits to the dentist.
Tags: floss, gingivitis, gum disease, tarter