When it comes to your oral health, most people think about their teeth. However, it’s been proven that your gum health actually plays a vital role in your oral health and your smile long term.
For instance, gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is built up by bacteria, mucus and food. If you don’t remove the plaque, it can lead to harmful bacteria that can cause inflammation of the gums. Inflammation can lead to gum disease, which has three stages:
Gingivitis: This is an early stage of gum disease and a stage where damage can still be reversed by brushing and flossing correctly. This stage is most identifiable by red, swollen and tender gums that bleed easily.
Mild/Moderate periodontitis: During this second stage, inflammation and bleeding is increased due to bacterial poisons and plaque. Your body’s own defenses will actually start to break down the gum attachment to the tooth. According to the ADA, you may start to experience early loss of bone around the teeth due to infections. At this stage, this issue cannot be fixed on your own and you need to seek treatment at your dentist’s office.
Advanced periodontitis: At this stage teeth may actually start to come loose because the gum pocket has pulled away from the tooth.
How to get healthier gums
So how do you avoid this? I’ve partnered with Crest and their new Crest Gum Detoxify toothpaste to give you some tips for keeping your gums healthy.
Brush often
Everyone knows that you should brush twice a day, but if you can it is recommended that you brush after every meal for good gum health. Scrub your tongue too since bacteria likes to hang out there too.
Consider your tooth brush
A battery powered or electric rechargeable toothbrush is best for your gums. According to the ADA, a battery powered brush can help reduce gingivitis more than using a manual brush. Just make sure to change out the head of the brush whenever it the bristles start to bend.
Use a toothpaste with fluoride
You want to make sure you use a good toothpaste with fluoride like Crest Gum Detoxify, which has been clinically proven to help you get healthier gums.
Fluoride is a mineral that’s found in all water sources. Not only can it help rebuild your tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. It is absorbed into your enamel and helps to replenish lost calcium and phosphorous to keep your teeth hard, which is called remineralization. These minerals will help to strengthen your teeth and prevent gum deterioration.
Crest Gum Detoxify toothpaste is a specially formulated paste with fluoride and Activated Foam technology that reaches below the gum line to improve gum health, leading to clinically proven healthier gums.
Crest Gum Detoxify seeks out harmful bacteria in hard-to-reach places and the advanced technology neutralizes the bacteria, even below the gum line. This gives your whole mouth protection. In fact, 99 percent of gingivitis patients showed reduced gum bleeding and inflammation in eight weeks after using Crest Gum Detoxify.
You can find Crest Gum Detoxify at Walmart and on Walmart.com. Dr. Oz also recently spoke about Crest Gum Detoxify and the importance of gum health was also recently mentioned on episode of The Dr. Oz Show. See the his segment here.
Floss
The ADA recommends flossing at least once a day for proper gum health. Flossing can help to remove plaque in places that your toothbrush can’t reach.
Use the right mouthwash
Mouthwash can help to reduce the plaque in your mouth and prevent and reduce gingivitis. I can also help to reduce how quickly tarter develops, according to the ADA.
Get your cleanings
The dentist and your regular cleanings are vital to gum health. Dentists can often spot the early signs of gum disease and help you manage any issues. Your dentist is the only one that can remove any tartar that’s built up on your teeth. They can also remove any plaque you may have missed.
Don’t smoke or quit smoking
Smokers develop more tartar on their teeth than nonsmokers and it is associated with the onset of early gum disease. According to the CDC, smoking can weaken your immune system and can make it more difficult to fight off gum infections. Smoking also may make it more difficult for your gums to heal once damage has occurred. Even smokeless tobacco products can bother the gums and irritate your gums. ‘
You can find Crest Gum Detoxify at Walmart and on Walmart.com.
For more health and lifestyle tips, click here.
This is such a great post. Everyone wants those white teeth, but we tend to forget about the gums that keep them where they belong!
I was thrilled when my dentist told me that I had healthy gums on my last visit. I do try to take care of them so thanks for the awesome tips.
Interesting, I’ve never heard of a detoxifier for your gums. I am def one who brushes and flosses but rarely use mouth washes or other things in that family. Thanks for letting me know a little more about things that could help me keep my giant smile happy 🙂
These are great tips and a real wake up call for me to get to the dentist.
These are very good reminders for gum and overall oral health. I like that this new Crest line focuses on gum health specifically.
I have been working on flossing more. I don’t smoke, thank goodness. I will try some of these other tips out too!
Great reminder!!! I try so hard to floss every day, but it’s hard to find that extra 5 minutes, which seems so silly when you see all the benefits.
Great advise, I’m always looking for ways to better care from my teeth and gums. I will try the Crest product in my home.
We are starting to use this toothpaste and I am hoping that it keeps my mouth healthier! I worry about my teeth and my gums! If they are healthy you can be healthier too!
I really enjoyed reading this post. These are really helpful tips to always keep in mind.
I tried the Gum Detoxify and it actually hurt my gums a bit. I have a friend who has tried this and likes it.
I saw this product in the store and I almost got it. Now I know I certainly will have to grab it the next time I go shopping. Anything to help with teeth and gums!
Having a healthy mouth is so important for overall health, and this new gum detoxify toothpaste sounds like it does a great job at promoting good oral hygiene. I’ll be sure to grab some on my next run to the grocers.
My mom is 85 and has been flossing religiously since she was in her 30s. She has great oral hygiene and her cleanings are really fast. I’ve been working on flossing more, and I will check out this toothpaste.
Gums play a huge protective role, especially as our biological age gets ahead of us!
ahhh! gum disease is so scary! I go through phases with flossing but i’ve been SOOO good about it later because I’m terrfied that it’s possible to lose teeth through gum disease. Will have to check out the toothpaste now too!
So important to take care and prevent gum disease! I try to floss and do most of the things you’ve mentioned!
I wish my mom took care of our teeth when I was young. ugh. Love all these tips and will follow.
I have mild peridonitis due to my lupus (dry mouth) and had to have a deep clean procedure yesterday. I would love to find a toothpaste that helps with this issue.
I’m in the mild/moderate stage right now and seeking treatment from my dentist. So important to catch early, if you can!
Flossing is the thing that gets me every time. I am lucky if I remember to brush my teeth every night before I fall asleep!
Yes to all this! I cannot stress how gum health is just as important as tooth health.
Thankfully I have made flossing a daily habit as I know how important it is for oral health. These are great reminders!
Healthy gums are super important. I didn’t realize there were so many things you could do!
Oral health is so important to our overall health! IT’s so important to take care of your teeth and gums.
Oral health is very important. I make sure to floss before I brush and that’s 2-3 times a day. I am due for another cleaning though.
These are all great tips! Thanks for sharing!
Oh this is interesting! I feel like I don’t take care of my gums as much as I should.
Thanks for the tips! I take really good care of my teeth, but I don’t pay much attention to my gums. I should be more careful about them