Learn Why Gum Health Matters During National Gum Care Month

Most people think about keeping their teeth bright and cavity-free during their daily oral care. However, without healthy gum tissue, your teeth won’t have a reliable place to live! September is National Gum Care Month, which means you should be aware of what can happen if you don’t take the steps to keep your gums healthy in the long-term. This includes brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist every six months, but it also means keeping a few other points in mind. Keep reading to learn what they are!

Knowing the Consequences of Poor Gum Health

While many people may think that the most common cause of tooth loss is decay, the reality is gum disease is actually the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. With this in mind, it’s important to note that, while tooth loss does typically occur as a result of infected gums, there are other ways that gum disease can affect your daily life.

For example, gum tissue becomes incredibly sensitive the longer you go without treatment. This means hot or cold foods and beverages will eventually become impossible to consume. Additionally, the gums will also begin to recede, exposing more tooth enamel and the roots of teeth. This contributes heavily to teeth sensitivity and increases your risk for decay in these vulnerable areas of teeth.

Finally, having gum disease only increases inflammation not just within the mouth, but throughout the body as well. Over the years, research has shown that gum disease is actually indirectly linked to conditions like heart disease and stroke, mainly because of this inflammation.

Maintain a Balanced Diet

While daily oral care matters, you should also be keeping in mind what foods you are eating throughout the day. After all, any foods that are incredibly starchy, sugary, salty or acidic can all contribute to gum disease for their own reasons. This is why it’s so important to keep a balanced diet throughout the day and avoid snacking on foods that keep your mouth acidic. If you’re looking for foods and beverages that promote gum health, consider the following:

• Onions
• Leafy greens
• Green tea
• Celery, carrots and apples
• Milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Bell peppers

Get Gum Disease Therapy When You Need It

Gum disease is often difficult to catch before it’s too late, which is why it’s so important to always visit the dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings. With that said, dentists are trained to perform detailed gum disease therapy that stops the infection in its tracks. This includes scaling and root planing, a treatment that removes plaque from above and beneath the gum line and helps the roots of teeth reattach to the gums. With the help of a soft tissue laser, your treatment is even more comfortable and precise than ever before!

This National Gum Care Month, if you have bleeding gums in Springfield, schedule an appointment with a dentist today!

About Advanced Dental Care of Springfield

When you visit the dentists at the Advanced Dental Care of Springfield, you’re getting gum disease therapy that is truly modern. Their soft tissue laser gum treatments ensures that your next visit is a comfortable and productive one. To learn more about the process and stop your gum disease, you can contact them through their website.