Here’s a shocker: You might think that decay and cavities are why most adults suffer tooth loss, but you’d be wrong! The real culprit is gum disease.
It’s always a good time to learn more about gum disease since we now know that your oral health greatly impacts your overall health. Did you know that poor oral health has been linked to a host of serious conditions, including heart disease, stroke, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease?
The talented dental team at Expressions in Dentistry is deeply invested in partnering with you to support your oral health, providing a wide range of services from cosmetic dentistry to emergency procedures. The foundation of it all is practicing daily mouth care, and we’re here to monitor your oral health with advanced care and compassion.
Gum disease starts when you skip daily brushing and flossing. Doing this leaves your teeth vulnerable because plaque accumulates on and between them, leading to both gingivitis (early gum disease) and decay.
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth and is a blend of food particles, saliva, and bacteria. Eating gives the bacteria in your mouth something to feed on, and when that bacteria breaks down, plaque forms, which is both sticky and acidic.
When you don’t brush and floss often enough, this plaque hardens into something called tartar, which you can’t remove with brushing. As it sits on your teeth, it does damage and causes an infection in your gums, or gingivitis, which is early gum disease.
Gingivitis is incredibly common — nearly 50% of adults over 30 are affected by it. Classic symptoms of gingivitis include:
If you don’t get gingivitis treated, it progresses to periodontal disease, a serious condition that causes bone loss in your jaw, gum recession, and even tooth loss.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to reverse early-stage gum disease, and the Expressions in Dentistry team is always available to consult with and support you.
Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day, and if you’ve noticed signs of gingivitis, go the extra mile and brush after every snack as well.
Flossing is a critical step in maintaining good oral health and working to reverse gingivitis. You can choose from traditional string dental floss, a dental pick, small plastic flossers, or specially designed small brushes.
Using an electric toothbrush may be the better choice for effective plaque removal, as opposed to a traditional toothbrush.
You can buy mouth rinse to use after brushing and flossing that helps to lower plaque incidence between your teeth
There are countless reasons to avoid smoking or chewing tobacco, and one of the most persuasive is that it can lead to gum disease.
Diabetes can increase your risk of developing gum disease, so make sure to keep track of your blood glucose level, take insulin if it’s prescribed, and eat well and exercise.
Eating plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, legumes, and other “good” foods supports your gum health, while a diet heavy in processed foods and drive-through specials doesn’t.
We all deal with stress from the many obligations we have, but learning how to manage it well keeps your gums healthy, too. Here again, a good diet and regular exercise help, as do maintaining connections with friends and family, getting out in nature, enjoying sufficient sleep, and adopting a mindfulness practice, like meditation.
Schedule routine dental cleanings and exams. Only a dentist can remove tartar (what plaque hardens into), so be sure not to avoid coming to see us!
All these things can head off gingivitis — and prevent you from further problems, like advanced gum disease. Committing to these steps is a small investment that pays big oral health dividends.
Contact our Folsom office at 916-983-6767 to make an appointment with us to learn more and get unmatched care, or book online.
