When thinking about everything that contributes to a healthy smile, many may think that brushing and flossing are sufficient. The truth, though, is that gum care is just as important as dental care. Periodontal care, also called gum care, is an essential part of maintaining good oral health. 

Healthy gums contribute to strong teeth and a healthy mouth, overall. If left untreated, gum issues can cause severe damage. When bacteria and plaque build up below or along the gum line, it can lead to inflammation, which may result in gum disease, gingivitis, or periodontitis. Bacterial infections can also attack bone tissue which can cause teeth to become loosened from the gums. 

Many people who have gum disease in the early stages don’t realize it or are unaware of the signs. Inflamed or swollen gums, loose teeth, tenderness around the teeth along the gum line, and bleeding gums are often the first signs and symptoms of gum disease. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are links between periodontal disease (gum disease) and several systemic diseases. The diseases include, but are not limited to, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, Alzheimer’s, respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular disease. Gum disease has also been linked to preterm childbirth. When handled in the early stages, gum disease is easily treated and has an excellent prognosis. 

Before brushing your teeth, always be sure to floss in between each tooth. This allows you to reach areas that your toothbrush can not, which helps remove any remaining food in the teeth and can help prevent bacterial growth. Regular dental cleanings are also important in the overall health of your gums. Your dentist will be able to examine your gums to check for any irregularities or signs of infection.

If you have any gum concerns or are in need of a regular cleaning, Cakmes Dental Studio is here to provide you with the best dental care available so that you can be confident in your healthy and beautiful smile. Our office offers a variety of periodontal care services to ensure that your gums stay in great shape. A few of the services we offer include periodontitis treatment, gingivitis treatment, bacterial infection treatment, and inflammation care. Contact our office at (865) 584-6163 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.   

Everything in the human body is connected in one way or another. The oral cavity is the intersection of medicine and dentistry and the window into a patient’s general health. Hundreds of diseases and medications impact the oral cavity, and pathologic conditions in the mouth have a more significant systemic impact than you might think. Periodontal disease is a prime example of systemic infection and is a topic not to take lightly since it can affect your overall health. 

Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It’s typically caused by inadequate brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – to build on the teeth and harden. Research has shown that periodontal disease can lead to heart disease, potential strokes, diabetes, respiratory diseases, etc. 

Research struggles to determine precisely how issues with gum diseases cause heart disease, but the association is strong. Over time it has been suggested that periodontal disease can increase the risk for heart disease in an otherwise healthy individual. Further research by scientists in the field has found an association between periodontal disease and suffering a stroke. The relationship, similar to heart disease, is currently unclear; research has found that those who suffer a stroke were more likely to have an oral infection than those who are not victims of a stroke. 

Research also suggests that those with diabetes are more likely to have gum disease than those without diabetes. Diabetes makes it easier for people to succumb to infection, and the more out of control their diabetes is, the more likely they are to contract gum disease. When you have gum disease, you have a dangerous bacteria in your mouth. This bacteria can be sucked down to the lungs and cause hazardous respiratory disorders, which is extremely dangerous, especially during this coronavirus pandemic. 

Taking care of your mouth, teeth, and gums is crucial to having good health. Taking care of your oral health will decrease your risk of other health issues. You can easily prevent periodontal disease by brushing your teeth, flossing, using mouthwash, and getting a dentist’s routine dental cleaning. The team at Cakmes Dental Studio would love to help you keep your oral health in tip-top shape. Contact us today for a cleaning and check-in with our excellent dentists!

Did you know that the effect of periodontal disease isn’t just confined in the mouth?

Gum disease is associated with an increased risk of serious chronic conditions like diabetes, respiratory disease, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. Researchers believed that this has something to do with the inflammation that the bacteria caused.

What do healthy gums look like?

Healthy gums are firm, pink, and do not bleed. Diseased gums are dark red, swollen, tender, and/or bleeding. In many cases, it is also accompanied by bad breath or bad taste in the mouth and discomfort when chewing.

How to prevent gum disease?

You can improve your overall health by starting to take care of your gums. Below are some of the effective ways to prevent gum disease:

• Brush and floss

When you brush your teeth, make sure you also brush your gums using a gentle, circular motion.

Don’t forget to floss between your teeth once a day. If you have bridges or implants, you may want to use interdental brushes.

• Use a therapeutic mouthwash

A therapeutic mouthwash can help prevent or reduce the mild symptoms of gum disease.

• Don’t smoke

Smoking doesn’t do any good for your health especially if we talk about oral health. People who smoke to almost half of a pack a day is three times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers.

• Eat a healthy diet

A diet rich in whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fatty fish can help prevent gum disease. These foods can help suppress inflammation.

• See your dentist regularly

When gum disease is detected and treated in its early stages, you can keep it from spreading and causing more serious and permanent damage to your teeth. It is recommended to see a dentist every 6 months.

References:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/why-your-gums-are-so-important-to-your-health

https://benefitsbridge.unitedconcordia.com/healthy-gums-important-overall-wellness/

Flossing, the dreaded extra step it takes for better oral hygiene. While it’s just as important as brushing only one-third of Americans do it daily. It seems more like a chore than brushing but it is actually quite simple and reaches the 40% of tooth surface area your toothbrush can’t. So why does it seem so much harder to follow a flossing routine than a brushing routine?  It can be a hassle adding an extra step in your daily to-do list, but the benefits of flossing are tremendous and there are several ways it can be made even easier.

So why should you care about flossing and what’s the best and easiest way to clean those chompers?

Why You Should Care About Flossing

Good oral hygiene prevents periodontal disease and periodontal disease can lead to a myriad of other health issues such as heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S.

On average one in eight adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of gum disease. Follow up on these flossing practices to make sure you’re not the one in eight.

Flossing Best Practices

It is best to practice flossing at least once a day, preferably before night to remove any food or particles that have become lodged in between the teeth or gums.

How to Floss Properly

• Take 18 to 24 inches of floss, wind most of the floss around two fingers, leave yourself an inch or two to work with
• Hold the floss tight between your thumbs and index fingers, and slide it gently up-and-down between your teeth
• Gently curve the floss around the base of each tooth, making sure you go beneath the gum line.
• Use clean sections of floss as you move from tooth to tooth

Not Sure Which Floss is Best for You?

• Unwaxed floss is thin nylon floss that’s great for getting into tight spaces but can be prone to breaking.
• Waxed floss is a standard nylon floss with a light wax coating. It’s less likely to break but harder to use in smaller spaces than unwaxed floss.
• Dental tape is broader and flatter than standard floss and comes in waxed or unwaxed versions. This can be more comfortable for teeth with wider spaces between them.
• Polytetrafluorethylene floss (PTFE) is the same material used in high-tech Gore-Tex fabric. The material slides between the teeth easily and is less likely to shred compared to standard floss.
• Super flosses are made from yarn-like material that has stiffer sections on each end that can be used to clean around braces or dental bridges.

It only takes a few moments to leave a lasting impression on your health. Remember, floss at least once a day, before bedtime.

Resources:

https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/solutions/floss/dental-floss-types-pros-cons

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/basics/brushing-and-flossing/how-to-floss