Did you know that the most common dental problem in the world isn’t cavities, but gum disease? This fact and many others are being highlighted during National Gum Care Month this September with the goal of helping people take better care of their smile’s foundation. If you have sore and inflamed gums that bleed easily, you’re probably wondering what happened and how you can soothe them. Thankfully, you’ll find the answers you’re looking for and more in today’s blog!

Inconsistent Oral Hygiene

Every time you brush and floss, you not only remove the harmful oral bacteria that can cause cavities, but also gum disease, an infection of the soft tissues and bone that hold your teeth in place. Ideally, a person should be brushing at least twice a day, flossing once, and using an alcohol-free mouthwash to keep the level of bacteria low.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a condition where the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva, which helps your mouth naturally clean itself of food particles and bacteria. This is a side effect of many popular medications.

Poor Nutrition

You probably were told several times as a child that eating too much sugar can lead to cavities, but what your parents and teachers probably didn’t mention is that it can increase your risk of gum disease as well. This is because oral bacteria eat the sugar in your mouth and produce an acidic byproduct that can damage enamel as well as the nearby gum tissue and underlying bone.

Tobacco Use

The health harms stemming from smoking and chewing tobacco are well known, and they include lowering the circulation in your mouth, which makes it less able to fight off infection.

How to Help Yourself

Just because your gums are tender today doesn’t mean they have to stay that way. You can work your way back to making them healthy and pink again by doing the following:

• Practice consistent daily oral hygiene including brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash.
• Visit your dentist at least twice a year for checkups so they can help you treat gum disease early and prevent it from becoming too advanced.
• Try to include more wholesome foods in your diet that don’t have a lot of added sugar, i.e., items like fruits, vegetables, and meats of all kinds.
• Cut back on tobacco use and talk to your doctor about quitting entirely so they can make the process comfortable.
• Discuss your medications with your doctor if they consistently cause dry mouth so they can help you avoid it.

While gum disease might be extremely common, it’s not inevitable. Between your efforts at home and the help of your local dental team, you’ll have one less thing to worry about heading into the holiday season.

About the Practice

Dr. Krysten Jackson and Dr. Eric Parsons are family dentists who graduated from the world-renowned University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Dr. Jackson completed her Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency there, and Dr. Parsons is constantly training to use the latest technology to offer the most comfortable and conservative methods of treatment. When it comes to gum disease, they help our patients prevent it and offer multiple proven solutions to stop it in its tracks. To schedule an appointment at El Reno Family Dentistry, click here.