Are you confident that you’re doing everything you can to protect your gums? September is Nation Gum Care Month, the perfect time to reevaluate your oral hygiene routine and protect your mouth from one of the most common oral health problems, gum disease. Knowing what early symptoms to look for and how to properly care for your mouth could help you avoid needing gum disease treatment in Arlington Heights. Read on for four tips to optimize your oral health in celebration of National Gum Care Month.
Visit Your Dentist For Routine Checkups and Cleanings
Many people feel comfortable skipping their semi-annual checkup and cleaning with their dentist in Arlington Heights because they brush and floss every day at home. Unfortunately, your daily hygiene routine isn’t as effective as a professional examination and cleaning. A regular toothbrush can’t get into the hard-to-reach crevices of your mouth that are a great hideout for harmful oral bacteria and food particles. Also, there are certain oral health problems that can only be spotted with the use of special dental technology or with trained eyes.
Keep An Eye Out For Symptoms of Gum Disease
Knowing the early signs of gum disease can be a great way to defend your mouth against harmful oral bacteria accumulation. One of the first symptoms that people notice is bleeding gums in Arlington Heights. This can also mean that you’re brushing with too much force. Some other signs to keep an eye out for at home include:
- Swollen, tender, or irritated gums.
- Loose or separating teeth.
- Pus pockets between your gums and teeth.
- Chronic bad breath.
- Receding gums.
- Oral sores.
Brush and Floss Daily
A solid at-home oral hygiene routine is often your first line of defense against a fast-progressing oral health problem like gum disease. To maintain a healthy mouth, the American Dental Association recommends doing the following at home:
- Brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Brushing for two minutes twice a day.
- Replace your toothbrush every three months.
- Floss every day to remove food debris.
- Eat a balanced diet.
Maintain a Nutritious Diet
It may seem like an odd thing to do to keep up with your oral hygiene, but eating a nutritious diet by being conscious of your intake of sugars and carbohydrates is very important. Your saliva mixes with food debris including sugar and carbs to create a sticky film called plaque that coats your teeth. Harmful oral bacteria can then attach themselves to this substance, feeding off of it and accumulating. As this is happening, they’re also releasing toxins that are known to cause inflammation, irritation, swelling, and bleeding—all the signs of gum disease.
In order to keep your gums healthy and happy during National Gum Month, follow these four tips to keep your oral health in tip-top shape. This way, you won’t have to worry about any surprise visits to your dentist in Arlington Heights, and you’ll be able to enjoy your pearly whites for years to come!
About the Author
At Costello Dental Excellence, we’re proud to offer the services of an in-office periodontist, Dr. Kamy Noruzi. After completing a general practice residency, he attended a post-graduate program in periodontics at the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Dentistry. He completed an intensive examination process to become certified by the American Board of Periodontology. To get the best gum care or treat gum disease to stop it in its tracks, visit Costello Dental Excellence’s website or call 847-259-1111.