5 Problems You Face When You Have Gum Disease

Gum disease may be a problem you do not think is important, or anything you need to spend time taking care of. But Dr. Denine Rice and her team feel that your gum health is critical. Gum disease research has shown that it doesn’t just impact your gums, but can potentially impact your entire body. Here are 5 other problems you may face when you have gum disease.

1.     Bleeding and swollen gums. As the gum disease progresses and turns into a more severe case of periodontal disease, your gums can begin to not look as healthy as they were before. They can begin to bleed easily and become painful when consuming foods that you normally enjoy.

2.     Heart disease, can become worse due to the inflammation that is present in your body when you are impacted by periodontal disease.

3.     Increased risk of stroke. Research found that individuals who have periodontal disease are more likely to have a stroke.

4.     Diabetes. Individuals who have diabetes are more likely to be impacted by diabetes.

5.     Other diseases. Inflammation that is left to run through your body and is not taken care of can begin to cause other diseases and break down your immune system.  

For more information on improving the health of your smile contact Dr. Rice and her team today.

A Dry Mouth is a Bacteria Filled Mouth

Dry mouth may not seem like a big deal but it is a problem, especially during the summer time as the weather heats up. Staying hydrated can be the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy mouth. Saliva helps to neutralize acid and protect against cavities, ulcers, bacterial and viral threats.  Saliva also contributes to a person’s ability to taste certain foods. Dr. Rice recommends these 4 ways to keep your body hydrated and avoid a dry mouth during this summer season.

1.     Drink water. For those of you who do not enjoy drinking water try infusing your water with strawberries, cucumbers, or other fruit and vegetables to increase the flavor. It is important to drink 1 oz for every pound you weigh. This amount goes up if you live in an area that is warmer.

2.     Enjoy fruits and vegetables as a snack instead of reaching for the chips and salty food. Salty foods dry out your mouth even more. Fruits and vegetables not only remove food from the surface of your teeth throughout the day, and in between brushing, they also help to keep your mouth moist.

3.     Chew sugar-free gum when you do not have water available. Sugar-free gum can help to build up saliva in your mouth when you are running low on water.

4.     Reduce consumption of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol decreases saliva in the mouth contributing to dry mouth.

For more information on keeping your gums healthy and your mouth hydrated contact Dr. Denine Riceand her team today.

3 Ways Vitamin C May Support Your Gum Health

Vitamin C is not only a great vitamin for the overall health of your body, but research suggests that it may also help reduce the impact of gingivitis and periodontal disease when paired with healthy dental habits," says Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice.  

Research shows that Vitamin C begins to battle the bacteria that form in the mouth. While everyone has bacteria already in their mouth, the amount depends on other factors. As the amount of bacteria in the mouth begins to increase, plaque forms. Plaque is a sticky film that adheres to the surface of the teeth.

As plaque sticks to the surface of your teeth, it aids in the breakdown of your tooth enamel. As this surface becomes weaker, cavities form. Once you have a cavity, the only way to treat the problem is to have the decay removed from the teeth and the teeth filled. If this problem is left untreated, it can move into the root of the tooth, causing dental pain, inflammation and eventually you may need to have the tooth removed.

Not only does Vitamin C help keep the bacteria count under control, it also aids in production of healthy gum tissue. Overtime gum tissue breaks down, especially if proper flossing is not done. Taking a vitamin C supplement can help to rebuild this gum tissue.

“While taking vitamin supplements does not replace healthy dental habits,” says Dr. Rice, “it can provide extra support to keep your smile in tip-top shape.”  

Foods That Are Awesome For Your Gums

The foods we eat can impact our smile. Foods that have higher water count help to rinse food from your gums and teeth between brushing.  Healthy dental habits can keep your gums in working order, but you can further help your smile by eating foods that help keep your smile healthy.   

Green peppers are a great way to keep your gums in healthy order. They require chewing in order to break down the food to swallow. This chewing helps stimulate bone growth and saliva. “The more saliva you have in your mouth the more it can help remove food from the surface of your gums," says Dr.Denine Rice. 

Raw Onion is reported to be an excellent source of health for your gums. Not only is it packed with healthy benefits, it also helps kill extra bacteria in the mouth.

Raisins, while sticky, are actually packed with antioxidants and can help reduce inflammation and the impact of periodontal disease. In order to continue to protect your gums however, when consuming raisins don’t forget to brush your teeth.

Green tea is considered among some one of the best ways to reduce inflammation and keep your gums healthy. “Not only does it increase the amount of saliva in your mouth, it also has properties in it that prevent swelling,” says Dr. Rice.

While consuming other foods may help decrease your chance of periodontal disease it is important to get treatment if you find you are impacted by swelling, bleeding or preliminary signs of periodontal disease. 

                                 For more information call Dr. Rice & her team today.