Did you know gum disease causes your teeth to fall out if not treated immediately? The Center for Disease Control (CDC) claims that almost one in five Americans lose their teeth when they get the condition. Ueno Center Dental Specialists confirm the risk factors for gum disease are diabetes, smoking, broken fillings, heredity, and suppressed immunity.
To avoid losing your teeth due to the disease, watch out for signs of sensitivity, bad breath, bleeding gums, and pain while chewing. More importantly, you can take steps to avoid getting gum disease. Here are things you can do below.
Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily
Although brushing seems like an obvious thing to do, some people do not do it for varying reasons. Some people are too lazy to put in any effort. Others are not aware of the dangers of not brushing. Lastly, some are forgetful.
When you brush daily, you will get rid of plaque, which is responsible for gum disease. It does that by producing acids that destroy the tooth enamel.
Avoid Smoking
Nothing produces plaque faster than smoking. This habit causes you to lack oxygen in the bloodstream, which affects your gums. That means your infected gums will take a long time to heal.
There are things you can do to reduce your urge to smoke. You can keep your mouth busy by chewing on sugarless gum or nuts. Another thing you can do is try out nicotine replacement therapies such as nicotine patches and bupropion.
Consume a Proper Diet
Certain nutrients prevent gum disease. An example of such a nutrient is vitamin C. Foods rich in minerals include broccoli, potatoes, brussels sprouts, peppers, and citrus fruits. It prevents the disease by producing a structural protein called collagen.
Another nutrient to consider is omega-3. The mineral regulates inflammation in the gum tissues. Foods rich in omega-3 are oysters, cod liver oil, sardines, and walnuts.
Floss Once a Day
Although you should brush daily, it is not enough to remove all bacteria. That is because the microorganisms sometimes hide between gums which are out of reach for toothbrushes. That is where flossing comes in. It helps to remove bacteria from any part of your teeth. If you do not get rid of them, they will spread to the rest of your gums.
Additionally, flossing removes stuck food particles. They usually attract bacteria, so it is important to floss after eating.
Use Mouthwash
Some people use mouthwash to eliminate bad breath, but you can use it to prevent gum disease. It does that by killing germs that contribute to the condition.
You should use it twice a day after brushing your teeth. Be careful not to overuse it as it can be harmful. You could experience dry mouth and bleeding gums.
As you have seen, gum disease is preventable. It is not difficult to brush or floss daily. Amazingly, people find these tasks burdensome, yet they only take a few minutes. What they do not realize is that they will spend several hours or days at the dentist. Your dentist must examine your teeth and come up with dentures.
If you are not disciplined enough to keep up with your oral hygiene, you could seek help from friends or family. All you need to do is not feel ashamed doing that.
