Getting to the Heart of Gum Disease Prevention

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease. We’ve all heard about it. Most of us know that it could cause our gums to bleed. Some may even recognize gum disease as a factor in the problem of bad breath. There is so much more to this prevalent oral condition. Not only is it the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, but gum disease is also a risk factor in numerous potential serious, chronic health conditions, including stroke and Alzheimer’s.

How to reduce your risk of Gum Disease

Knowing the consequences of gum disease is one thing, but knowing how to reduce your risk of this condition is crucial to your health and wellness. Gum disease remains one of the most common dental conditions among adults. This suggests that we either need a refresher course on good hygiene practices, or that we need to know how to go above and beyond oral care to maximize our health. We believe there is no harm in doing both!

If gum disease is a concern for you, schedule an exam and cleaning with Dr. Hugh Flax’s office in Atlanta. During your visit, we will assess the health of your gums and discuss ways to improve oral hygiene, if need be. Also, you may consider how what you put in your mouth could be providing you with benefits you did not know:

• Ah! The joys of salad! As if there weren’t already several reasons to add leafy greens to your plate on a daily basis, here’s another: vegetables contain water, which dilutes acidity and sugar in the mouth. But wait, there’s more! Vegetables are also loaded with healthy minerals that restore what is lost when we chew. Therefore, it’s not only milk that builds strong teeth; vegetables can, too!
• Eat chicken. Lean poultry isn’t just beneficial for the waistline, but also for oral health. This is because eating chicken gives you a good dose of calcium and phosphorous, two substances that are necessary for strong teeth and strong bone beneath the gums.
• Chew gum. Who would imagine that their dentist would tell them that chewing gum could be good for their teeth and gums! It’s true, when you choose gum that is sweetened with xylitol instead of sugar or aspartame. It is not the xylitol that benefits the mouth, but the act of chewing gum itself. Chewing causes saliva to flow freely. This washes sugar and acid away from teeth and gums, protecting them from decay and inflammation.

Schedule a consultation

Flax Dental offers general and cosmetic dentistry services in a welcoming environment. To schedule your visit in our Atlanta office, call (404) 255-9080 today!

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