7 Ways to Protect Yourself from Gum Disease

Gum disease affects millions of Americans every year. The good news is, it doesn't have to be this way. There are numerous steps you can take to protect yourself from gum disease. However, if you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with our dentist in Kilgore, TX.

Symptoms of gum disease include (but are not limited to): sore, receding, or bleeding gums, pain while chewing, loose teeth, and tooth loss. Whether you're experiencing any of those symptoms or not, Here are seven tips from our Kilgore, TX dentist to help you protect yourself from gum disease.

1. Maintain Good Oral Health
2. Increase Vitamin C Intake
3. Eat Right
4. Stay Hydrated
5. Eliminate Tobacco Use
6. Limit Alcohol Consumption
7. Professional Teeth Cleanings

Maintain Good Oral Health

This might sound like common knowledge, but good oral care is crucial for healthy gums. Brushing your teeth is not enough, especially when it comes to gum 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. 

A fluoride mouthwash low in alcohol can be beneficial to your oral health. Gingivitis (early gum disease) treatment can be as simple as scheduling a teeth cleaning and practicing good oral hygiene.

Increase Vitamin C Intake

Vitamin C deficiency is one of the leading causes of gum disease. Increasing the amount of Vitamin C in your diet not only helps prevent gum disease but can also help treat any symptoms you might have. Vitamin C has healing properties that can stop your gums from swelling or bleeding while stabilizing loose teeth.

Eat Right

One of the best things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy is eating right. Be sure to avoid sugary foods and drinks as they lead to tooth decay and gum damage. Dairy products low in sugar like whole milk, greek yogurt, and a lot of cheeses are great for your teeth.

Eating a balanced and nutritious diet filled with vitamins and minerals boosts your immunity and helps ward off many diseases. Try incorporating foods that are high in collagen, beta carotene, and omega-3s for best results.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is incredibly important for 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.

Eliminate Tobacco Use

Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products has been known to cause countless health issues. Tobacco products are especially harmful to your gums and teeth. They should be avoided whatever the cost.

Even other tobacco sources, such as chewing tobacco, cigars, and e-cigarettes are harmful to your gums. It’s best to steer clear of tobacco products altogether if you want healthy teeth and gums. 

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol is bad for your teeth for a number of reasons. Mainly, alcohol makes your mouth dry and this creates a more ideal environment for bacteria to flourish. Alcohol also wears down your enamel and weak enamel makes your teeth more susceptible to infection. If you want to increase your chances of avoiding gum disease or even recovering from it, limit or avoid alcohol. 

Professional Teeth Cleanings

Whether you have gum disease or not, having a professional teeth cleaning every 6 months is vitally important to the well-being of your oral health. Brushing and flossing is a great way to keep your teeth healthy, but sometimes plaque grows and hardens into tartar where it's harder for your toothbrush to reach.

Only a dental professional can remove tartar from your teeth. If tartar is left on your teeth, the bacteria can spread to your gums and over time cause gum disease.

Schedule an Appointment

If you have gum disease and want to improve your oral health, our dentist in Kilgore, TX can help. Dr. Angelina Odhiambo has tons of experience helping people fight gum disease. To schedule an appointment, give our office a call at (903) 984-1108.