Our gums play a critical role in our overall health and well-being. Healthy gums contribute to healthy teeth, and to a bright and confident smile. Conversely, diseased gums can sometimes be indicators of sickness or ill health elsewhere in the body.
Despite the importance of gum health, nearly half of U.S. adults 30 and older have some form of periodontal disease. There are a number of holistic health tips that can help you avoid this and maintain clean, healthy gums.
10 Tips for Healthy Gums
1) Start with the basics.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss at least once. Additionally, make sure you have your teeth cleaned and examined every six months or so. If you develop any gum conditions, your dentist or periodontist will provide you with a more specialized program for oral hygiene.
2) Alkalize the body.
When your mouth pH is too acidic, it rapidly increases your risk of gum degradation and tooth decay. By contrast, saliva with a pH of 7.5 or more can strengthen your tooth enamel and protect you against oral disease. Make sure your diet has plenty of greens, including leafy vegetables, which will provide your body with a healthy pH.
3) Clean your tongue.
Have you noticed an ashy or grey residue on your tongue? This is a layer of dead cells, toxins, and bacteria that is not good for your oral hygiene. Be sure you are brushing your tongue regularly and implementing a tongue scraper.
4) Use probiotics.
Some probiotic products enable you to maintain helpful bacteria in your gut, but there are also products that will allow you to build a colony of good microbes in your mouth. These microbes can help protect your teeth, tongue, and gums from unwanted bacterial buildup.
5) Incorporate essential oils.
There are certain essential oils that help to freshen the breath, purify the mouth, and improve blood circulation. Think peppermint, clove, rosemary, and thyme. You might consider adding some of these essential oils to your toothpaste, providing an extra level of cleanliness for your teeth and gums.
6) Get plenty of Vitamin C.
It is well known that Vitamin C plays a vital role in building your immune system and fortifying your body against illness. It only makes sense that Vitamin C helps protect against infection of the gums, as well. Periodontists have confirmed that patients who have a higher intake of Vitamin C tend to be at less risk for gum disease.
7) Try oil pulling.
Oil pulling refers to swishing oil around in your mouth for a few seconds, then spitting it out, just as you would with mouthwash. This is an old oral health remedy, and there is plenty of evidence to support its usefulness. Try it with coconut oil or sesame oil for the best results.
8) Stay away from tobacco.
As if you needed another reason to avoid tobacco products, there is ample evidence showing how tobacco ruins oral health. One of your best bets for avoiding gum disease is to avoid smoking, along with chewing tobacco.
9) Manage your stress.
Unchecked stress can also contribute to the spread of disease, making it essential to develop your own strategy for handling anxiety and burnout. For example, you might consider regular exercise, journaling, meditation, yoga, or creative expression, all of which can potentially be healthy outlets for stress management.
10) Get educated.
A final tip: Make sure you have all the information you need to maintain robust oral health and hygiene. If you have any specific concerns or more general inquiries about holistic oral health, we recommend making an appointment with MK Perio.
Our periodontists can educate you on any of the tips listed in this article. And, if you are too far along with gum disease, we will provide services such as gum recession treatment and gum disease treatment to help you get back on track with your oral hygiene.
Schedule an Appointment with MK Perio
To schedule a consultation with one of our periodontists, reach out to MK Perio today.
