Do you think that your oral health only involves your teeth? Guess again!
While we know that most people think about keeping their mouths healthy and immediately think about their teeth it’s important that you consider the health of your gums, as well. Many times gums can be neglected. Whether you don’t floss as often as you should or you are someone who consumes quite a bit of sugar, our Orange County, CA, periodontist Dr. Ramyar Elyassian is here to tell you why you should give your gums the TLC they deserve.
Gums are prone to disease just like any other part of the body. By maintaining healthy gums you also preserve and protect your teeth. After all, gum disease is one of the main reasons adults lose permanent teeth. Plus, gum disease is also linked to other chronic and potentially serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
While gum health should always be a top priority, it’s actually pretty easy to keep your gums free of infection. Here are some ways to protect yourself from gum disease:
Floss daily: While flossing may not be your favorite pastime it is truly the best way to remove plaque buildup from between teeth. Remember, your toothbrush won’t be able to get into those tight spaces the way floss can. By flossing once a day you can reduce the amount of bacteria and food sits trapped between teeth and gums.
Quit smoking: Tobacco consumption has some seriously negative effects on your oral health, from bad breath to oral cancer. Of course, it also greatly increases your chances of gum disease. By ditching this habit you reduce your risk significantly.
Maintain a healthy diet: What you eat can nourish you and keep you healthy or it can negatively impact you. In order to reduce your chances of gum disease, you’ll want to reduce your sugar intake and also reduce the amount of white starches and junk food you consume. Instead, opt for a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, lean protein (e.g. fish), whole grain and nuts.
Get routine checkups: Even if you are doing your best to maintain healthy gums, it’s still important that you visit a dentist for routine checkups. If you start to notice red, bleeding gums or other gum problems it’s important that you visit our Orange County, CA, periodontal specialist right away. If gum disease is caught during its earliest stages (also known as gingivitis) it can be reversed.
Do you have questions about keeping your gums healthy? Are you experiencing symptoms of gum disease? Call Dental Implant & Laser Surgical Specialists in Tustin, CA and serving Santa Ana, Irvine, and the Orange County, CA area.