6 Unhealthy Habits That Wreak Havoc On Your Gums

You care about your smile and spend time regularly brushing, but when it comes to flossing it may be weeks in between time. Or it may have been years. “Whatever the case, flossing is important in order to keep your gums in tip-top shape and to keep your teeth for a lifetime,” says Dr. Rice. Here are 6 unhealthy habits you may be doing that are causing problems for your overall gum health.

1.     Not drinking enough water. Water helps to remove food from the surface of the teeth as well as between the teeth. This decreases the amount of bad bacteria that is able to take over your mouth.

2.     Eating foods high in sugar. Too much sugar can increase your risk of decay and cavities.

3.     Forgetting to floss. Flossing is the only way to remove food from between the teeth. Food that is left between the teeth, increases your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

4.     Skipping the vegetables and Fruits. Fruits and vegetables have a high concentration of water. The more water, the better it is for the health of your smile.

For more information on healthy habits to improve your gum health contact Dr. Denine Rice and her team today.

5 Habits To a Healthy Smile

Healthy dental habits are not established by accident. They take dedication and practice. By engaging in these 5 dental habits you can have a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime.

1.     Brush 2x a day with a favorite toothpaste that has fluoride in it. Fluoride can help to strengthen the enamel in your teeth. This can protect them from chipping, breaking and dental decay.

2.     Floss regularly. There is no other single action that removes food from between the gums and protects against gum disease.

3.     Eating healthy foods. Eight servings of fruits and vegetables can prevent your mouth from drying out. Eating foods with reduced sugar can help to decrease the risk of decay.

4.     When brushing your teeth, use gentle round circles instead of vigorous brushing strokes. It can cause your gums to recede if you brush too hard.

5.     Visit the periodontist and have the pockets of your gums measured. Gum disease needs to be taken care of as soon as problems arise. By visiting the periodontist on a regular basis it will let you know if there are problems.

For more information on healthy dental habits, contact Dr. Rice and her team.

The Dangerous Consequences

Of Smokeless Tobacco

A multitude of research studies have shared the dangers of tobacco on the body and your oral health. However, studies have also found that even smokeless tobacco negatively influences the oral health of the individuals that use it.

There are multiple types of smokeless tobacco including snuff, dip and chew. None are healthier than the other. Usually an individual pinches off an amount and places it between the lip and the check or the front lip. The tobacco enters the body through the mouth and down the throat, even though it is not swallowed.

"Smokeless tobacco has been linked to oral cancer and esophagus cancer," says Dr. Denine Rice one of Inland Empire's top periodontists. However, it can also impact the gums and roots of the teeth.  If you already are impacted with negative oral health habits and the roots of your teeth are exposed due to extreme periodontal disease the negative possibilities are even greater.

Ingredients in snuff can vary according to the manufacture. While tobacco growers in other countries are required to list all of their ingredients, the United States does not have this requirement.  There can be varying amounts of TSNA’s, Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines.  “TSNA’s are known to be some of the most potent carcinogens present in smokeless tobacco, snuff and tobacco smoke,” (About Health.)

If you notice white lesions in the mouth, you will want to visit your Riverside, California periodontist, Dr. Rice and her team.  It is not a good idea to assume that these lesions are noncancerous.