8 Tips for Healthy Gums and Teeth

A healthy mouth is frequently associated with beautiful, and strong white teeth. The truth is that oral health extends beyond smiling. When discussing our dental hygiene, it's easy to forget about our gums. However, the condition of our gums is important for both our mouths and our general health.

The CDC reports that scientists may have found connections between gum problems and other significant medical disorders. The microorganisms in the mouth that enter the bloodstream are mostly non-pathogenic in persons with strong immune responses.

The germs that cause gum diseases have the potential to cause the body to experience more grave issues. In reality, numerous studies have revealed a connection between gum infection and several health issues, including:

● Heart disease

● Cancer

● Pulmonary Illness

● Strokes

The germs in plaque that accumulate during the initial stages of gum disease cause the gums can become irritated and easily bleed while brushing teeth.

Plaque is a sticky coating of microbes and food that forms around your teeth when you neglect to brush your teeth, avoid dental floss, and do not rinse your mouth with mouthwash. After 3 days, plaque becomes tartar, which makes it difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth and accumulates along the gum line. This accumulation over time aggravates and irritates your gums, leading to severe gum disease.

The internal surface of the gums and bone pulls away from the teeth in an individual having periodontitis, creating gaps between the teeth and gums. These tiny crevices between the gums and teeth harbor debris and can develop an infection. As the plaque expands and enlarges beneath the gum line, the immune system of the body battles the germs.

Additional factors include:

● Gum disease can more easily develop because hormonal changes, like the ones that take place during adolescence, pregnancy, menstrual cycle, and menopause, make gums more delicate.

● Gum health may be impacted by diseases. Ailments that affect the immune system, like cancer and HIV, are included in this.

● Gum tissue has a tougher time healing itself when bad habits like smoking are practiced.

● Gum disease is more likely to form if you have poor dental care practices, like not brushing and flossing every day.

● Gum disease development may be influenced by a family background of dental problems.

Usually, people wash their teeth twice a day to keep their teeth clean and remove plaque and bacteria. However, brushing effectively is necessary to maintain good oral health.

It's important to brush your teeth in small circular movements and to cover the front, rear, and top of each tooth. Brushing for 2 - 3 minutes is recommended.

Think about using an electric toothbrush. More so than manual brushing, these can aid in the reduction of gum disease and plaque. Every 3 to 4 months, or earlier if the bristles begin to tear, replace toothbrushes or brush heads.

Make sure to floss every day. As stated by the ADA, this aids in removing plaque and food particles that are difficult for your toothbrush to reach. It makes no difference when you floss. Just do it—whether it's after lunch, late at night, or in the morning.

Tobacco use has a direct correlation to the development of gum disease, which is still another incentive for smokers to give up. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), smoking depletes your immune system, which makes it more difficult for you to maintain healthy gums and teeth.

Several toothpaste brands on the market make claims to treat gingivitis, improve breath quality, and whiten teeth. Which is the ideal for maintaining healthy gums, and how do you know? Make sure you use fluoride toothpaste that bears the ADA(American Dental Association) seal of approval. The taste and color are then entirely up to you!

Dental concerns can be treated by a dentist before they become more serious. Cleaning the teeth, eliminating plaque, and hardening tartar are all parts of a regular checkup. Additionally, they search for signs of oral cancer, dental problems, caries, and other problems. Dental X-rays can be used to detect dental problems such as cavities.

Dental health may be benefited from various types of mouthwash with particular components. Gingivitis (gum infection that results in swelling, redness, and sensitivity at the gum line) and plaque are conditions that can be managed with mouthwashes such as chlorhexidine (antibacterial ingredient). It can also aid in preventing foul breath.

The OLLOSMILE Sonic LED Toothbrushuses advanced blue light technology to attack the bacteria that cause infected gum tissue and receding gums. This helps restore oral health by decreasing bacterial levels and halting disease initiation. The soft-bristled toothbrush with sonic vibration can help remove plaque from hard-to-reach places and promote better gum health. It also has a timer that reminds you to brush for two minutes and an ergonomic handle, making brushing easier than ever before. 

Cavities can result from eating sugar such as candies or pastries. The WHO advises keeping sugar consumption to under 10% of daily calories. Tooth decay can also be brought on by starchy meals including crackers, bread, chips, pasta, and pizza. These meals have the propensity to stay in the mouth for a long time, where they are reduced into simple sugars that acid-producing microorganisms cause dental caries.

Micronutrients are food ingredients that the body needs in a very minute or negligible concentrations. Numerous micronutrients that are antioxidants can be found in the human diet. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin A (carotenoids and β-carotene), vitamin E (α-tocopherol), melatonin, and glutathione are antioxidant micronutrients. Antioxidants prevent periodontal tissues from becoming inflamed.

Along with oxygen and water, macronutrients such as minerals, carbs, fats, and proteins, must be consumed in large amounts. Periodontitis and dental cavities have been linked to high carbohydrate consumption. It is well-recognized that diet affects oral health. Thus, a healthy diet results in healthy teeth.

Gum health is essential for overall Oral health, so following these tips can help you maintain your gums healthy and strong. If you experience persistent pain or swelling of your gums, visit your dentist as soon as possible to get the appropriate treatment. Additionally, for further advice about how to keep your teeth and gums healthy, consult with a dental professional. 

1. Newman G.M., Takei H.H., Klokkevold R.P., Carranza A.F. Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology. Classification of Diseases and Conditions Affecting the Periodontium. In: Michael G.N., Henry H.T., Perry R.K., Fermín A.C., editors. Carranza’s Clinical Periodontology. 12th ed. Elsevier; Amsterdam, The Netherlands: 2012. pp. 45–67.

2. Armitage G.C., Robertson P.B. The Biology, Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Periodontal Diseases: Scientific Advances in the United States. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 2009;140:36S–43S.

3. Deas D.E., Moritz A.J., Sagun R.S., Gruwell S.F., Powell C.A. Scaling and root planing vs. conservative surgery in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Periodontol. 2000. 2016;71:128–139.

4. Pihlstrom B.L., Michalowicz B.S., Johnson N.W. Periodontal diseases. Lancet. 2005;366:1809–1820.

5. Preshaw P.M., Alba A.L., Herrera D., Jepsen S., Konstantinidis A., Makrilakis K., Taylor R. Periodontitis and diabetes: A two-way relationship. Diabetologia. 2012;55:21–31

6. Haffajee A.D., Socransky S.S., Goodson J.M. Clinical parameters as predictors of destructive periodontal disease activity. J. Clin. Periodontol. 1983;10:257–265.

7. Socransky S.S., Haffajee A.D. Periodontal microbial ecology. Periodontol. 2000. 2005;38:135–187.