How To Prevent Gum Inflammation
Posted on: 26 February 2021
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When you have consistently sore or swollen gums, you might have gum inflammation. This happens when plaque gathers around and under the gums. If you notice blood when you brush your teeth or when you eat something hard, chances are you have gingivitis. If left untreated, you could get periodontal disease, which can result in the loss of your permanent teeth. The following are some ways you can prevent gum inflammation and increased gum disease:
Brush Twice a Day
You should brush your teeth after you eat breakfast and before you go to bed to help keep your gums healthy. This removes plaque and decreases the chance of getting gum inflammation. Regular brushing helps combat the bacteria that cause plaque. Do not brush your teeth too hard or else you could cause pain.
Floss Every Day
To remove the plaque between and under your teeth, be sure you floss your teeth every day. The plaque that collects in these small spaces can result in gum inflammation. When you floss, you remove the plaque but also toughen your gums and keep them healthier.
Eat a Healthy Diet
You should also try to get in nutrient-rich foods into your diet each day if possible. Vitamin C helps boost your immune system to help fight an infection in your body, including the gums. Vitamin D can help reduce some of the oral bacteria that cause plaque. Calcium helps to strengthen your teeth and keeps them healthy, which helps to prevent tooth loss.
Choose a Healthy Lifestyle
In addition to eating a healthy diet, consider adjusting your lifestyle to help keep your gums healthy. If you smoke, you should try to quit if you have signs of gum inflammation. Smoking decreases the immune system and makes fighting off infection in your gums more difficult. Those who drink alcohol also have a higher likelihood of gum inflammation because it dehydrates your mouth and breeds bacteria due to the sugar used to make alcohol. Also, have your blood sugar levels checked. If you have high blood sugar, the blood vessels throughout your body can become constricted and reduce blood flow to your gums. When this happens, you are at more risk for gum disease because it limits good oxygen flow to the gum tissue.
If you begin to notice your gums are becoming swollen or start to hurt when you brush your teeth, be sure to make an appointment with a dentist or periodontist to find out what you need to do to heal.