Proper Gum Care & Gum Care Treatment
Prevent gum disease with proactive care. At Assure A Smile, educating patients on how to prevent periodontal disease (gum disease) is a key component of every cleaning, check-up, and dental appointment. Healthy gums are not just a foundation for a strong smile, but they are also the key to building immunity and preventing long term illness. Assure A Smile welcomes patients to learn more about gum health and how to prevent gum disease using the resources below.
Holistic Gum Care
The hidden disease. Former U.S. Surgeon General, David Satcher, labeled gum disease the “silent epidemic,” affecting a reported 4 out of every 5 Americans. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, gum disease increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. If you have sore, swollen, or bleeding gums, call our office to schedule an exam immediately at 305-274-0047.
With proper care, patients can improve gum health and reduce the risk of developing serious illnesses later in life. At Assure A Smile, it is our goal to help patients live a healthy lifestyle that creates naturally strong and healthy gums.
How to Get Healthy Gums
Get healthy gums by following the 5 basic steps below.
1. Brush twice daily.
Brush a minimum of twice a day. Note: Improper brushing can cause periodontal infections to get worse because you miss plaque deposits that will continue to house bacteria and irritate your gums. Brushing daily removes plaque, the film of bacteria that clings to teeth. When plaque comes into contact with food, they produce acids that lead to cavities and gum disease.
2. Floss Often
During meals, food particles often get lodged between the teeth and along the gum line. Sometimes, a toothbrush cannot remove this food debris. Dentists recommend flossing after brushing as well as big meals to remove the plaque and prevent the spread of bacteria.
Flossing is most effective when done with a piece of floss that is about 18 inches long. After stretching the floss between both hands, use the thumb, index and middle fingers to hold it taught. Then, gently insert the floss between the teeth and gently slide it up and down against the tooth. Move the floss around the gum line, and be sure to floss around the base of each of your rear molars. When flossing, the dental floss should somewhat wrap around the tooth, forming a C-shape. Most importantly, use a clean section of the floss when moving from one tooth to the next to prevent the spread of bacteria.
3. Rinse Regularly
In addition to brushing and flossing, patients may improve gum health by rinsing with an alcohol-free mouth rinse designed to hydrate the gums and reduce the accumulation of biofilm. Our holistic dental practice also recommends oil pulling to improve gum health. Oil pulling is a safe, all-natural way to cleanse the gums and soft oral tissues. Over time, oil pulling can also cleanse the body of toxins. Here’s how it works:
- Choose an oil (sesame and coconut oil are most popular)
- Melt 1-2 teaspoons of the oil in your mouth
- Swish oil throughout the teeth and gums for no more than 20 minutes
- Spit oil into disposable cup or container (do not spit down the sink)
- Rinse with warm water
- Brush to remove additional oil
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Of course, a healthy diet is key to preventing harmful agents from entering the mouth in the first place. Using the lists below, consider revamping your diet to exclude those foods known to stick to tooth enamel, produce plaque, and promote the spread of bacteria.
Foods for healthy gums include:
- Raw, organic vegetables like carrots, broccoli, celery, cucumbers, and kale
- Raw, organic fruits like apples, pears, melons, and other fruit with a high water content
- Nuts (preferably soaks) and cheeses
Foods that can harm the gums:
- Candies, cookies, cakes, and other sweets
- Sticky and sugary gums
- Crackers, bread, chips, and other starchy foods
- Dried fruits, including raisins
5. Schedule a Dental Cleaning Every 4-6 Months
Smoking has a couple effects on the teeth and gums. The first is the most obvious: Smoking changes the color of the teeth from white to yellow. Secondly, smoking effects the blood. Smoke enters the lungs and deprives the body of oxygen, in turn lowering the amount of oxygen in the blood. Less oxygen in the blood lowers our immunity to heart disease, gum disease and many other diseases.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
Prevent gum disease by regularly following up with a Miami dental professional. At Assure A Smile, our holistic and non-toxic approach to dentistry helps patients learn to create healthy teeth and gums for life. We are pleased to offer Perio Protect, a safe and effective way to restore the health and vitality of your gums. For more information, click here to schedule an appointment or call a member of our friendly front desk at 305-274-0047.