Rebuilding Your Gums: Easy Tips for Healthy Gums

Over half of American adults have had or currently suffer from periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. There are many ways, however, that you can rebuild your gums including proper oral care and eating the right kinds of foods.
One out of every two American adults over the age of 30 has periodontal disease according to a study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The study does not hint that the disease is going away any time soon either. With fast food, sugary drinks, and chemical preservatives constantly causing damage to our gums and our lax take on dental hygiene; adult Americans can be in a good amount of trouble for some time.
There is plenty you can do about it though. With proper oral hygiene, eating the right foods, and visiting your dentist regularly, you can be on your way to kicking periodontal disease to the curb and having an overall healthier lifestyle.

Start With Proper Oral Hygiene

The best way to fight periodontal disease is to care for your teeth the right way. This includes:
Brushing your teeth 2 to 3 times a day. We recommend a good brush after every meal. However, it's not just brushing, but the way you brush. Brushing too hard can actually cause damage to your gums. Instead, use a soft toothbrush and brush away from the gums at a 35-degree angle.
Flossing once a day. We recommend flossing at night during your final brushing before bedtime. Floss before you brush, use a good amount of floss to free up any food and plaque stuck between your teeth and gums. If your gums begin to bleed, wash your mouth out with water and continue. Bleeding is a sign of damaged gums, however, if you continue to floss regularly, the bleeding will stop.

Next, Eat The Right Foods

Certain foods help promote gum health and growth. As well, foods with the right vitamins can also help protect your gums.
Raisins: Research shows that the antioxidants in raisins can help fight bacteria that cause gum disease. Though they may be sticky and sugary, they are great at protecting your gums. Just make sure to drink water to wash off any sticky remnants after you eat.
Green Tea: Both green and black teas have antioxidants known as catechins which are able to reduce inflammation in the gums. This is essential to preventing gum disease. Though black tea does have the same catechins, we recommend green, as it won't stain your teeth.
Whole Grains: Eating whole grains rather than refined carbohydrates is a great way to help reduce inflammation in the gums. Because whole grains are digested slower than refined carbohydrates they are able to keep blood glucose at a steady rise. This avoids spikes in blood sugar, which produce a inflammatory protein. Switching to whole grains is a smart way to help maintain healthy gums.
Vitamin C, D, and B9: Whatever way you can do to absorb the vitamins C, D, and B9 will help promote gum growth and stimulate your gums to protect themselves against bacteria. Whether through healthy foods (oranges, blueberries, oysters, asparagus, peanuts) or by supplement, make sure to get a good dose of these vitamins daily.

Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year

No step is more important than visiting your dentist and making sure that your gums are properly cared for.  Your dentist can clean your teeth and your gums much better than a toothbrush and floss can.
If you do take care of your teeth regularly, but still have signs of periodontal disease, often a dentist's cleaning can be the final push to treat and rid your gums of this disease.
Call Water Tower Dental today if you're looking for a team of dentists that understand how to treat and care for patients with periodontal disease. We're happy to help and can set up an appointment for you right away.