Easy Ways to Protect Your Gums

It is important to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day for optimal oral health. But we know that sometimes that is not always the case for our patients. Some patients travel, run out of toothpaste or forget to floss, which can lead to oral health problems. If you are looking for the top Beaverton dentist, call our office today

Almost half of people in America, age 30 + have periodontal disease; this statistic is according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You may be surprised to know that Men account for almost 56 percent of those instances.

Periodontal disease is often called gum disease is very common because it happens when the tissues in the mouth and bone surrounding your teeth become inflamed and infected.

In the early stages of gums disease, you may see swelling and bleeding. When this disease advances, the gums will recede, which makes it easier for teeth to degrade or fall out. The infection is from bacteria buildup, which will create a film – known as plaque – which hardens into tartar.

Here at our dental office in Beaverton, we associate plaque and tarter with teeth, but it doesn’t stop there. These types of substances will easily spread below your gums and they can infect the soft tissue around the bone. And the worse part is the situation doesn’t always end in your mouth. Several studies have linked gum disease to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Even if you think you have healthy gums right now, they won’t be that way if you don’t take care of them.

Periodontal disease rates are over 70 percent among people 70 and older. Now is the time to focus on your gum health.

Here’s tips from our doctor how to protect your gums.

Reduce your intake of chewy foods
Oral bacteria will always feast on foods with a lot of sugar; this is why we suggest you cut back on the candy. Sugar-loaded foods that are chewy, crunchy, or sticky, such as granola bars, barbecue sauce, cake frosting, and even dried fruit – are especially not good for your gums.

The sugar can stay on the teeth and cause cavities. They will cling to your teeth and your gums and even cause toothaches.
Limit the frequency of eating these types of food for a happy mouth. “It’s much better to eat a cake or cookies in one sitting than to snack on sugary, sticky foods throughout the entire day,” Dr. Scott R. Walker says. The more often you expose your gums and teeth to sugar, the higher the chances that bacteria will grow, and this means the greater your risk for getting gum disease.
Drinking sugary beverages and fruit juices, and even sugar-sweetened coffee, throughout the day is not healthy for your gums.

If you want more information about gum disease please call our top Beaverton dentist office and make an appointment today.