Unfortunately, gum disease is more common than you might think. A whopping 75% of Americans over the age of 35 are affected by it! This can have major repercussions to your oral health and your overall wellness. In fact, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, stroke, respiratory illness, and even complications with pregnancy. Luckily, there are a few quick and easy things you can do today to improve your gum health! Just take these five simple steps to keep gum disease at bay.
1. Buy a small travel toothbrush to keep in your desk or purse.
When it comes to the health of your gums, plaque is the enemy—particularly after meals. Each time you eat, the bacteria in plaque releases acids onto your dental enamel. After repeated “acid attacks,” your gums become inflamed and irritated, leading to an infection of the gums known as gingivitis (the first stage of gum disease). The best way to prevent this from occurring is to brush your teeth after you eat! While this can be difficult when you’re in the office or on the move, keeping a small travel toothbrush with you can be a big help.
2. Set a reminder to floss.
Flossing is key to removing the plaque and food particles from between your teeth and gums. However, many people forget this important step of their oral healthcare routine! That’s why we recommend setting a reminder on your phone to floss daily. Over time, this will help you to make flossing a regular habit, so you can protect your gums and oral health.
3. Throw away those cigarettes.
Smoking is one of the leading indicators of your risk for gum disease. In fact, research has shown that smokers are twice as likely to get gum disease than non-smokers. This is because smoking weakens the immune system and increases the production of plaque. Therefore, your gums are more likely to be irritated by the acids released by plaque, and your body will be less capable of managing the infection they cause. Further still, gum disease is more difficult to treat in non-smokers. If you’d like to drastically reduce your chances of getting gum disease, we highly recommend that you quit smoking today!
4. Buy some vitamins.
Vitamins can do a great deal to improve the health of your gums! Vitamin D, for example, has anti-inflammatory benefits that help to decrease the likelihood of getting gingivitis. Vitamin C can help with bleeding gums, and calcium can strengthen your jawbone and teeth! Therefore, if you’d like to easily prevent gum disease, be sure to pick up some multivitamins at the store today!
5. Book your next dentist appointment.
When it comes to gum disease, there’s no greater preventative method than making routine visits to the dentist every six months. Your dentist will look for early warning signs of gum disease and treat any issues that may have come up since your last appointment. You will also receive a professional teeth cleaning, which will greatly improve the health of your teeth and gums.
If you would like to prevent gum disease, book your next dentist appointment at Olympia Fields Dental Associates in Olympia Fields today!