Periodontal disease can impact the comfort and health of your smile, and in the advanced stages, lead to periodontitis and tooth loss. In addition to treatment, our team can offer tips for improving gum health with better nutrition and oral hygiene habits. In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about boosting gum health.

The Causes of Gum Disease

Inflammation in the gums is often the first stage of the disease. Known as gingivitis, this could occur due to plaque buildup caused by a diet high in sugar and poor brushing and flossing habits. Other factors include tobacco usage, a family history of the disease, inflammatory illnesses, or the use of certain medications. In the early stages, you may encounter sore, red gums that bleed easily. As the disease forms and grows in severity, you could notice swelling or gum recession that makes teeth appear longer. Lack of care to manage it could then cause periodontitis, the stage linked to adult tooth loss. With good oral hygiene and better nutrition, you can lower your risk of the disease.

Better Oral Hygiene

How you care for your smile each day is a major impact on preventing periodontal disease. You should start and end your day by brushing your teeth for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. Be sure your toothbrush has soft bristles to prevent inadvertent injury to the gums. Every evening before you brush that second time, be sure you floss. Whether you use strong, tape, or a pick, be sure you floss up and down each side of every tooth, dipping beneath the gum line when you do. This will extract the food and drink particles that brushing alone cannot reach. This helps reduce the severity of plaque buildup until a cleaning can remove the buildup entirely.

Improving Your Nutrition

What we eat and drink is a factor too! For example, too much sugar and starch in the foods and drinks we consume leaves behind particles that feed harmful oral bacteria. As they break down the particles, this increases the risk of periodontal disease. Instead, be sure to eat items with Vitamin C and D, such as leafy greens, fresh veggies and fruits, fish and lean meats, and whole grain items too. Offer snacks that don’t boast a huge sugar content too. Instead of soda, fruit juice, and energy drinks, drink water to help hydrate you and cleanse your smile.

Talk to Dr. Kania About Keeping Smiles Healthy

We would like to help you manage or prevent issues like periodontal disease. To learn more about improving your oral health or to schedule your appointment, give us a call at our office in Encinitas, CA today at 760-642-0711.