Healthy gums play an important role in the mouth. They work with the jawbones and connective tissues to hold teeth in place. The gums also act as covers that protect the roots of the teeth and jawbones from food particles, infection and injury.
The gums play an important role when it comes to the health of the mouth and the entire body. The measures we take to keep the gums healthy also benefit the rest of the body. For example, a healthy, low-carb diet is good for the mouth and the whole body.
However, unhealthy gums cause problems throughout the body. Left untreated, an infection in the gums can spread to the rest of the body. The European Journal of Preventive Cardiology published a study showing a link between gum disease and other issues like diabetes and heart disease.
For all these reasons, we should learn how to take care of our gums to keep them healthy.
How to take care of the gums
To keep the gums healthy, nourish them with a diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Use nutrients like fluoride and folic acid to prevent or treat gum disease.
Stimulate blood circulation in the gums by eating crunchy fruits and vegetables. This will help nutrients and oxygen to reach the gums. Good circulation will also allow waste to move away from the gums.
There are more ways to take care of the gums. For example:
1. Have a good dental hygiene routine
Brush twice a day using a toothbrush with soft bristles of different lengths. Be thorough but gentle when brushing the teeth. Brushing the teeth with too much force erodes the enamel and injures the gums, causing them to bleed and recede.
Floss at least once a day to remove plaque from tight spaces between the teeth.
2. Protect the mouth with fluoride and folic acid
Fluoride prevents tooth decay and gum disease by rebuilding the enamel and killing harmful bacteria. If bacteria cannot live in the mouth, they are less likely to cause dental issues.
Folic acid fights periodontal disease by stopping infection and reducing inflammation in the gums.
3. Keep the body healthy
Some chronic conditions or diseases make a person more likely to develop gum disease. One such example is diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes increases the amount of sugar in saliva, which in turn helps bacteria to thrive. If a person with diabetes fails to maintain good dental hygiene, they will have high levels of harmful bacteria that will infect the gums.
4. Get regular dental checkups
Often, gum disease goes unnoticed. A person could have perfect white teeth but still have gum disease, which is why it is important to see the dentist every six months. During a routine dental exam, a dentist will check for gum disease and other dental problems.
Healthy gums lead to a healthy life
By taking care of your gums, you take care of your whole body. So, keep your mouth clean and your body nourished.
Most importantly, get regular dental checkups to get a clean bill of health from the dentist.