6 Ways to Fight Gum Disease

Gum disease, if left unchecked, can damage the bones of your teeth and can even lead to serious medical conditions such as heart disease or stroke. Unfortunately, many people don’t take gum disease seriously until it’s too late.

Gum disease is caused by the buildup of dental plaque in your mouth, which means you can prevent it through healthy dental habits. Our Westland, MI dentists at Parkside Dental Team recommends the following 6 tips to fight gum disease before it strikes.

1. Take good care of your teeth.

Although this may seem obvious,good oral care is crucial for healthy gums. Brushing your teeth is not enough—especially when it comes togum disease. You should add flossing to your routine to reduce the risk of plaque building up and damaging your gums. When flossing, be sure to get up and under your gums to remove any plaque that’s hiding there.

Using an antimicrobial mouthwash low in alcohol can also be very beneficial to your oral health. Gingivitis treatment can be as simple as scheduling a dentistteeth cleaning and practicing good oral hygiene.

2. Take enough Vitamin C.

Vitamin C deficiency is one of the leading causes of gum disease. Including more Vitamin C in your diet not only helps prevent gum disease, but can treat your symptoms. Vitamin C has healing properties that can stop your gums from swelling or bleeding while stabilizing loose teeth.

3. Be mindful of nutrition.

Nothing helps more in preventing gum disease than maintaining a healthy diet. Be sure to avoid sugary foods and drinks as they lead to tooth decay and gum damage. Eating a balanced and nutritious diet filled with vitamins and minerals boosts your immunity and helps ward off many diseases, including gum disease. Try incorporating foods that are high in collagen, beta carotene, and omega-3s for best results.

4. Drink more water.

Staying hydrated is necessary in preventing gum disease, as well as promoting overall health. Drinking plenty of water produces more saliva which helps fight off bacteria that can cause gum infection. Water can also help wash away food particles that get stuck in your teeth after meals, which then become hotspots for bacteria.

5. Stay away from tobacco.

Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products has been known to cause countless health issues, especially gum disease. Tobacco products are very harmful to your gums and should be avoided at all costs. Even non-cigarette tobacco sources, such as chewing tobacco, cigars, and e-cigarettes, are harmful to your oral health. It’s best to steer clear of tobacco products altogether if you want healthy teeth and gums.

6. Visit the dentist regularly.

Seeing our preventative dentist in Westland regularly cannot be stressed enough. A routineteeth cleaning can help prevent gum disease by removing plaque hiding in between teeth and along the gum line. During yourdental cleaning, our dentist will also be able to spotsigns of gum disease like bleeding gums.

Our Westland, MI family dentist is dedicated to helping you maintain a healthy smile. If you’re concerned about the possibility of gum disease,call Parkside Dental Team at (734) 261-6060.