Keeping Your Gums Healthy

Having good teeth and a nice smile may be the focus of most toothpaste commercials, but having healthy gums is just as important. Your gums are important for your oral health because it’s where they keep your teeth rooted. If your gums receive too much damage, you can have infections spread, lose teeth, and more.

Early onset gum disease is called gingivitis. It causes inflammation and bleeding in the gums. Untreated, it becomes periodontitis, which can lead to serious infections and destroy the bone that supports the teeth.

Whole Body Benefits of Healthy Gums

Not only is your oral health threatened when you don’t take care of your gums, but your overall health is as well. Studies have shown that gum infections can travel throughout the body through the blood vessels. This can cause systemic infection and disease. Diseases like pneumonia, cardiovascular disease, and even diabetes can become problems for someone with unhealthy gums.

How to Take Care of Your Gums

Brush and Floss

Brushing and flossing are obvious solutions. Let’s get into a little more detail on how we can brush and floss best to care for our gums.

Floss at least once per day. Pick a time of day that is best for you to dedicate a few extra minutes to floss. Many people intend to floss at the end of the day, but don’t because they are too tired after getting ready for bed and brushing. Read the ADA (American Dental Association) guide to flossing to get proper technique.

Brush at least twice a day. Ideally you should brush in the morning when you wake up, and again at night, before bed. It’s important to brush in the evening because it clears away plaque and debris in the mouth that will get worse overnight. Here’s a great guide on proper brushing technique. Also consider using a fluoride toothpaste, and a gentle electric toothbrush.

Quit Smoking

This is another obvious one. Smoking is bad for your oral health, and your whole body. Quitting smoking will improve the lifespan of your teeth, gums, and yourself.

Regular Dental Check-Ups

You should be visiting a dentist regularly. Go at least twice a year for a check-up.

Natural Remedies

Fortunately, there are plenty of home solutions for good gum health. These are easy enough things you can do at home.

Good Diet

Eating the right kind of foods really helps with your tooth and gums.

• Green Tea. Research has shown us that regular intake of green tea results in healthier gums and teeth.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids. These chemicals reduce gum inflammation and help with tooth alignment. You can get Omega-3 from many sources. Some of the best are: flax seeds, salmon, walnuts, extra virgin coconut oil, mixed berries, leafy greens, and avocado. There are plenty of other good sources too.

Oil Pulling

This ancient Ayurvedic technique can help reduce plaque and bacteria build-up. Swish 2 tablespoons of oil (coconut, or olive) in your mouth for about 20 minutes, then spit it out. Afterwards, rinse your mouth with salt water and brush your teeth.

Saltwater Rinse

This is a nice home treatment for inflamed gums. Add ½ to ¾ a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Swish the solution in your mouth for about 30 seconds, then spit. Repeat this process about 3 times per day.

Brush with Turmeric

Turmeric is another Ayurvedic remedy. It has antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Pour a small amount of turmeric powder on your wet toothbrush, and brush your teeth as you normally would. Turmeric can help prevent gingivitis, treat periodontitis, and prevent certain oral cancers.

Plenty of other options

Read all about the other ways to take care of your gums and teeth at home here. Remember, prevention is the best cure.

When to See a Dental Professional

If your gums are having serious problems that home remedies can’t fix, then it’s time to visit a dentist. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so go when you start seeing these symptoms, not when you have had them for a long time.

If you notice any of the following, make a dentist appointment.

• Tender, swollen, or red gums.
• Bleeding gums when eating, brushing, or flossing.
• Chewing is painful.
• Loose teeth.
• Gums pulling away from the teeth.
• Strong sensitivity to hot/cold
• Extreme pain in the gums/teeth

If you have any of the following symptoms and are in the Carrollton, Texas area, contact us. Josey Lane Dentistry will be happy to answer any of your questions about gum health, schedule a check-up, or help with a dental emergency.