Don’t underestimate the impact of gum disease on dental and overall health. Periodontal disease, which often begins as gingivitis, can lead to severe issues like tooth and jaw bone loss. Gum disease can also heighten the risk of developing serious health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Read on to discover 3 reasons why flossing your teeth matters and get tips to improve your dental hygiene and prevent gum disease.
Flossing Can Prevent Gum Disease
Flossing prevents gum disease by removing plaque and food particles from between teeth and along the gum line in areas where a toothbrush can’t reach. This helps prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to gum inflammation and infection. Dental floss can also stimulate the gums and increase blood flow, promoting healthier gum tissue.
Common Signs of Gum Disease
So how do you know if you have gum disease? Bleeding gums and other warning signs of gingivitis might mean you have plaque build-up around your teeth and gumline. Gingivitis can cause gum tissue swelling, redness, a receding gumline, and bad breath.
Consult your dentist if you notice these common signs of gum disease.
- A red, swollen, or inflamed appearance of gums
- Bleeding while brushing and flossing
- Gum tissue pulling away from the teeth
- Exposed tooth roots
- Loose or growing gaps or spaces between teeth
- A dry or sticky feeling in the mouth
- Bad breath, even after teeth are brushed and your mouth is rinsed
Take action for healthy teeth. Schedule regular dental appointments and speak with your dentist about other teeth cleaning options. American Dental Association accepted dental picks, interdental brushes, and plaque removers can also help clean between teeth.
How to Prevent Gum Disease
Preventing gum disease doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple daily practice of brushing teeth and using dental floss can make a difference. See your dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam to keep your gums healthy and prevent gum disease.
2. Gum Disease Prevention Can Protect Jaw Bone Health
Bacterial infections caused by gingivitis can affect the bone structure supporting your teeth. This can lead to significant bone loss, forming pockets between gums and teeth, worsening the infection. Over time, this bone loss can cause loose teeth, receding gums, and eventually, tooth loss if not addressed.
3. Flossing Helps Protect Your Health and Wellness
Your mouth is a gateway to your entire body. Ignoring gum tissue health can lead to damage you can’t undo. Prioritize your gum health to protect your smile and entire well-being.
The Effect of Poor Oral Hygiene
Neglecting oral hygiene can bump up your blood pressure and harm your heart and lungs. This might lead to serious issues like heart or respiratory disease. Heart disease can result in critical outcomes such as angina, atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrest, or heart failure. A daily oral hygiene routine and annual dental evaluations can help protect your heart and lung health.
Bacteria from periodontal disease can also affect the lungs, contributing to diseases like COPD and pneumonia. This is especially significant given the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on our overall health and wellness. There is even a connection between diabetes and complications with oral gum disease.
Effectively managing blood glucose levels can significantly lower the risk of gum disease, gingivitis, cavities, dry mouth, and other oral health problems. Even without diabetes, maintaining healthy gums is vital. Prioritize oral hygiene to safeguard your overall health.
Oral Hygiene Tips to Protect Your Dental Health
Check out our other resources online to learn why flossing is important to overall health. Get insight on how to protect your teeth and gums and explore our cleaning tips for dental implants and dentures.
- 3 Healthy Reasons to Love the Benefits of Flossing
- Daily Flossing Can Save Your Life!
- Prevent Dental Disease: 3 Tips that Benefit Older Adults
- 3 Common Dental Issues for Diabetics and Tips to Improve Oral Health
How to Floss the Right Way
Tartar, food particles, and plaque stick to areas of the teeth that toothbrushes can’t reach. This can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Learn how to start flossing the right way. Follow these steps to start cleaning teeth.
- Use about 18 inches of floss. Wind most of it around each middle finger, leaving an inch or two to work with between teeth.
- Hold the floss tight between your thumbs and index fingers.
- Slide gently between your teeth to avoid damaging your gums.
- Curve against the side and base of each tooth.
- Use a clean section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
- Rinse your mouth by using a water flosser, rinse with water, or an antiseptic mouthwash.
To enhance your dental hygiene, follow these steps to effectively remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth and along the gum line. Are you looking for more insight on how to floss right? Explore this Colgate guide to learn how to improve your dental health.
Get Into A Healthy Dental Care Routine
Gum disease symptoms include swollen, red, and bleeding gums. When tartar and plaque buildup is left untreated, gingivitis can progress to gum disease. Get dental attention today. Request an appointment online or call Three Rivers Dental Group at 1 (855) 4 NO FEARS.