Dupont Dental - Your Washington DC Dentist


  Contact : 1234 19th Street NW Suite 604 | Call us: 202.296.7714

All Posts in Category: Health Basics

Comments Off on How Vitamins and Minerals Can Improve Your Oral Health
How Vitamins and Minerals Can Improve Your Oral Health

How Vitamins and Minerals Can Improve Your Oral Health

Posted by

How Minerals Can Help Improve Your Oral Health

We all know the importance of proper dental care. Brushing, flossing our teeth, and avoiding sugary foods are the best ways to maintain proper dental health. However, many people are unaware of the fact that minerals can help improve the health of your teeth. A mineral can help remove bacteria and fight off various infections in your mouth. A vitamin can also help you accomplish this as well. Let’s take a look at some more information on vitamins and minerals and how you should implement them into your diet more.

What Minerals and Vitamins Should You Take?

Here is some information about the various vitamins and minerals that you need to consume to have a healthy mouth.

Calcium

We all know that calcium helps build strong bones in your body. Your teeth are part of those bones and can benefit from calcium’s healthy attributes. Calcium can help keep your teeth’s enamel healthy and improve the strength of your jaw. You can find calcium in various dairy products such as milk and cheese and also in other vegetables too.

Iron

Iron helps deliver oxygen throughout your body. Iron can help prevent tongue inflammation or mouth sores. You can find iron in various meat products such as beef and chicken.

Vitamins

Here are but a few vitamins that can help improve your mouth’s health:

  • Vitamin A. This vitamin helps keep your saliva flowing properly and removes bacteria from inside of your mouth. Sources beef, sweet potatoes, and spinach.
  • Vitamin B3. This helps convert food into energy within your body. It also helps keep your nervous system running efficiently. Sources: Chicken and fish.
  • Zinc. It can prevent the development of bacteria in the mouth and stops plaque from building up on your gum-line. Sources: wheat, cheese, and beef.
  • Vitamin B12. Consuming B12 and B2 can prevent canker sores from developing in your mouth. Sources: Pasta, bagels, almonds, and red meat.
  • Vitamin C. This commonly known vitamin is good for your body and can help prevent gingivitis. Be wary, as a lack of vitamin C can lead to bleeding gums. Sources: fruits, potatoes, and red peppers.
  • Vitamin D. We can get this wholesome vitamin in various foods that can help us with burning mouth syndrome. Sources: Egg yolk and fish.
  • Magnesium. This vitamin can help improve the enamel of your teeth and stop cavities from forming in your mouth. Sources: spinach, dark chocolate, and other leafy greens.

Let The Professionals Help You

Everyone needs to get their teeth checked regularly. It can help you keep up with your dental health and assess the state that your teeth are in. However, you will want to find a dentist that you can trust. Dupont Dental has you covered when it comes to dental care. Our practice is led by Dr. Seiden and Dr. Banks and has some of the friendliest dental staff in town. Let us help you get your smile back on track. Be sure to schedule a consultation today to take yourself one step closer towards dental health.


Read More
Comments Off on Diabetes and Dental Care: What You Need to Know
diabetes and dental care

Diabetes and Dental Care: What You Need to Know

Posted by

Did you know that diabetes can affect many body systems? From circulation to eyesight, diabetes can affect more than just your blood sugar levels. Diabetes can also lead to mouth and teeth issues. If you or a family member has diabetes, you may have questions about your specific oral care needs.

How are diabetes and dental care connected?

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can increase your risk of cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis. How? It is a vicious cycle that begins with high levels of glucose in your blood.

Because cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugars, if your sugar levels are elevated, there is a greater risk of tooth decay. With an abundant supply of sugar, the bacteria can go into overdrive to produce copious amounts of sticky film on your teeth. That sticky film is also known as plaque, which causes decay by eating away at your enamel, resulting in more cavities. Thus, more sugar in your blood means an elevated risk of cavities.

If the plaque is not removed, the increased levels of plaque can then increase your risk for gingivitis, which causes bleeding and tender gums. Unfortunately, gingivitis – if not treated quickly and properly – can lead to periodontitis, which is advanced gum disease. Periodontitis is a serious condition that threatens the integrity and strength of the bones in your jaw. Left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.

To make the issues more complicated, patients with diabetes are more prone to infections and delayed healing times. The good news is that many of these issues can be prevented with good hygiene and regular appointments with your dentist.

What can you do to prevent issues?

Just because you have diabetes doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have major dental issues. There are many things you can do to keep your teeth and mouth as healthy as possible. Most importantly:

  • Monitor and control your blood glucose levels: This includes following all instructions from the physician who manages your diabetes care.
  • Maintain a proper oral hygiene routine: Brush twice each day and maintain a regular flossing habit
  • Keep your regular dental appointments: Let your dentist know you have diabetes.
  • If prescribed medicated mouthwashes, follow the directions and remain vigilant with usage. Some mouthwashes are targeted for specific problems like bleeding gums or dry mouth.
  • Quit smoking: Smoking can exacerbate many diabetes-related issues, including oral care.

When to see the dentist

Whenever a problem arises in the mouth, it is always a good idea to speak with your dentist – whether you have diabetes or not. However, if you have diabetes, it is that much more important to address any issues as quickly as possible. Always call your dentist as soon as you notice problems such as:

  • Do you have pain or swollen gums? Are you having problems with your dentures fitting correctly or comfortably?
  • Bleeding gums
  • Dry mouth
  • Bad taste in the mouth not related to food
  • General aches or soreness in the mouth

How can we help you?

Do you have questions or concerns about diabetes and your dental care? Contact us today.

Read More
Comments Off on Sugar! A Love-Hate Relationship with your Teeth
sugar and dentist

Sugar! A Love-Hate Relationship with your Teeth

Posted by

It is well known that sugar is bad for your dental health. When you consume sugar, the bacteria in your mouth can use it as a source of energy to form plaque, which can increase in thickness and size. The sugar can also be utilized by the bacteria to adhere to the surface of your teeth, making it difficult for your saliva to wash it away.

Why Do We Crave Sugar?

It is also popular knowledge that we consume a lot of sugar. It provides our brain with the energy it needs to be healthy and functional. However, even too much a good thing can be bad. If we consume too much sugar, we are exposing ourselves to a wide range of health issues, including dental problems.

Tips for Reducing Your Sugar Intake

There is a strong link between excessive sugar consumption and poor oral health. Reducing the amount of sugar you consume and practicing an effective oral hygiene routine can limit the damage sugar can have on your teeth. Here are some ways you can decrease your sugar intake:

1. Read Food Labels

Take the time to read the labels of the foods you buy. Sugar is often added to prepackaged foods that don’t have a sweet taste, such as tomato sauces, salad dressings, crackers, and condiments. You should be aware that sweeteners can also include molasses, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, dried cane syrup and that food can contain more than one type of sweetener.

2. Set a Daily Sugar Intake Limit

Once you are conscious of the amount of sugar that is in the foods and drinks you consume, set a daily limit for your sugar intake and stick with it. You can use the USDA dietary recommendations regarding daily sugar intake for men and women as guidelines.

3. Buy Unsweetened

Opt for foods and drinks that are unsweetened or that have no added sugars. You will be able to find unsweetened alternatives for many common foods, including milk and canned fruit, in the grocery stores.

4. Eat Fresh

Try to eat the fresh and healthy versions of food as much as you can. While fresh foods have natural sugars, their sugar content is far less than what is in prepackaged food. Eating fresh and healthy foods can also keep your stomach fuller longer, which can reduce the urges for sugar.

5. Fool Your Taste Buds

Try flavoring your foods and drinks with spices instead of sugar. Mint, vanilla bean extract, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg can please your taste buds and help you fight against the cravings for sugar. If you need a sweet taste, use just a dollop of honey, which is a little healthier than sugar.

6. Avoid Eating Sugar Right before Bed

Consuming sugar and then going to bed without brushing your teeth will give the bacteria in your mouth all night to feed on the sugar that remains in your mouth. Make a habit of brushing your teeth right before you go to bed a part of your oral health routine.

Being persistent with limiting your sugar intake can benefit you in many ways. Coupled with a daily oral health routine, it can prevent the negative effects sugar has on your teeth.

Read More
Comments Off on Caring for Someone Else’s Dental Hygiene
mom brushing teeth with child

Caring for Someone Else’s Dental Hygiene

Posted by

Caring for someone else’s dental hygiene can be quite challenging. It’s intrusive, and many people may feel comfortable if you try to do this for them. Particularly, if they have learning difficulties are other special needs. Even young children may resist against someone cleaning their teeth for them. That’s why it’s best to get young children cleaning their teeth as early as possible.

If you are caring for someone else’s oral hygiene, it’s useful to get some tips that will make it easier.

Offer Reassurance

You should be aware that oral hygiene and the process of having their teeth cleaned will be frightening for some people. If you are cleaning their teeth, make sure that you offer them reassurance. One way to do this is by showing them what you’re going to do with your teeth first. Talk them through the steps and make sure they know exactly what’s going to happen before you start. Show them that it’s not scary. This can be especially helpful if you’re cleaning the teeth of someone with learning difficulties. They will want to know that the process is safe.

You might also want to let them feel the toothbrush or floss before you use it on them. This can again, help them see that there’s nothing to be scared of. They will then trust you to use the toothbrush, cleaning their teeth.

Use A Distraction Or Something To Calm Them Down

It can be quite uncomfortable for someone to have their teeth cleaned. You need to find a way to distract them from this discomfort and unpleasant feeling with something that is familiar. If it’s a young child, this could be a favorite toy that you can let them hold. For older patients, you may want to think about putting on music or putting the TV on in the background. Anything that distracts their senses will help them to forget that you’re cleaning their teeth. It’s useful when working with anyone who has sensory issues like someone with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

Create A Routine

For people with learning disorders, it’s best to have a routine. Particularly, if you are always going to be the one responsible for cleaning their teeth. You need to give them a structure that they can follow and trust. For instance, they should know that you’ll start by brushing their teeth on a particular side. You can then move on to flossing and finally the mouthwash. You should keep the same routine each time, rather than creating an unnecessary change. This will make the process easier for them to deal with.

Keep An Open Dialogue

Finally, even while you are brushing and cleaning their teeth, you should be keeping an open dialogue. Make sure they know what’s going on and what you’re doing at any point. You can also talk to them about different things or simply offer words of approval. Positive conditioning will help them accept the process more and allow for it to be part of their routine.

Read More
Comments Off on Top Daily Tips for Pristine Oral Health
Daily oral health tips

Top Daily Tips for Pristine Oral Health

Posted by

Everyone should aspire to have a healthy mouth. The trouble is, few people know what makes a good oral health routine. Well, worry no more, as all the advice you need is in this post.

Here are some daily tips to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy at all times:

Brush Your Teeth Twice A Day Minimum!

Most people think that twice a day is the maximum you should brush your teeth. However, the minimum you should do is brush your teeth in the morning and evening. To improve your oral health even further, it’s advised you brush after every meal too.

Buy Toothpaste With Fluoride

The toothpaste you use can also have a bearing on your oral health. When looking for it, ensure you buy some that include fluoride. This substance helps to prevent tooth decay and keeps your teeth in a better condition.

Use An Electric Toothbrush

Brushing with a regular toothbrush is nowhere near as effective as brushing with an electric one. The increased power means you can get rid of more plaque and bacteria. Plus, the toothbrush head is a rounded shape, meaning each tooth can be cleaned from a better angle. Also, speaking of toothbrush heads, make sure you change yours regularly. They’re only designed to last three months.

Floss Twice A Day

Flossing is an incredible way to keep your mouth as clean as possible. It works by cleaning areas that your toothbrush can’t reach. Mainly, it helps clean between your teeth and on the lining of your gums. Flossing can help prevent gum disease, and reduce the risks of tartar build up.

Reduce Your Sugar Intake

Sugar is a killer for your teeth and gums. Too much of it will lead to tooth decay, and you’ll need fillings and dentures. So, you should cut down on how much sugar you ingest each day. Stay clear of sweets and soft drinks, as they’re the things with the highest sugar count.

Use Mouthwash

Alongside brushing and flossing, mouthwash contributes to a cleaner mouth. You should use it every morning and night before you’ve brushed your teeth. It will help get rid of all the harmful bacteria in your mouth, reducing the risk of various oral diseases.

Chew Sugarfree Gum

If you want to keep your mouth healthy throughout the day, then chew sugarfree gum. It can prevent your mouth from getting too dry, which lowers the risk of tooth decay. Plus, it makes you salivate, which washes away bacteria in your mouth.

Don’t Rinse Your Mouth With Water After Brushing

A common mistake in most daily routines is to rinse your mouth after brushing. Don’t do this as it washes off all the fluoride! My advice is to floss first, then use mouthwash, and then brush your teeth.

Stop Smoking

If you smoke, then you need to stop. It stains your teeth and leads to poor oral health and many diseases. Cut smoking out of your routine for a healthier mouth.

If you pay attention to all of these tips, you’ll soon achieve pristine oral health!

Read More
Comments Off on How To Start Taking Better Care Of Your Gums
Close up of a healthy smile with great teeth and gums

How To Start Taking Better Care Of Your Gums

Posted by

We are all told how important it is to look after our teeth. But not as much emphasis is put into caring for and maintaining our gums. Not many people realize the importance of this, which results in gum care often being overlooked. Gum disease is one of the main results of this lack of care. If left untreated, gum disease can worsen and lead to the removal or loss of your teeth. Therefore, it’s essential that you put just as much effort into maintaining healthy gums as you do your teeth. Use the instructions in this guide to help you get started today.

Brush Twice a Day

Your gums need to be brushed and cleaned just as regularly as your teeth. Use a soft bristled brush as this is much kinder to your teeth and gums. You need to make sure you are cleaning along the gumline as you brush. This removes food, plaque and bacteria from their surface and keeps them in top condition. Brush your teeth and gums for two minutes for a thorough clean. You should also use a dental mouthwash to remove any plaque and bacteria further. This should temporarily reduce the chances of you developing gum disease and plaque. Ask your dentist for their recommendations on mouthwash and toothbrushes you could use to keep your gums clean and healthy. You may also want to ask them to show you the correct brushing technique to refresh your memory.

Floss Every Day

Flossing allows us to access the areas in between our teeth that our toothbrushes cannot reach. Flossing every day is essential as it removes plaque and food, which could encourage the development of gum disease. You should do this at least one per day using dental floss, an interdental brush or a pre-threaded flosser. It can take some time to get used to if you have never done it before. But it’s the best way of caring for your gums. When you first start, your gums may be sensitive and bleed a little. This should stop as your gums get healthier, but if it doesn’t you need to see your dentist. You might be flossing incorrectly or have a dental issue that needs addressing. Your dentist can show you how to floss correctly and recommend which product you should use.

Visit Your Dentist Twice Per Year

To help you maintain your gums even further, you need to visit your dentist for a checkup and clean every six months. This allows them to prevent any issues with your teeth and gums before they become more severe. Getting your teeth scaled and polished also removes plaque and makes it harder for it to develop. This, in turn, makes it easier to maintain your oral hygiene and keep your teeth and gums healthy. Get in contact with your dentist to book an appointment to assess the condition of your oral health as soon as possible.

You can now introduce these methods into your oral care regime. They will keep your gums in fantastic condition while also improving the look of your teeth too.

Read More
Comments Off on Key Ways Your Everyday Choices Affect Your Oral Hygiene and Health
Woman brushing her teeth to achieve healthy oral hygiene

Key Ways Your Everyday Choices Affect Your Oral Hygiene and Health

Posted by

Keeping your teeth and mouth clean is about more than just brushing your teeth. The choices you make every day can have an effect on the health of your mouth. What you choose to eat and drink has an impact on your oral hygiene. Whether you smoke and even what medications you take can also influence how healthy your teeth and mouth are. If you want to have healthy teeth and gums and to avoid bad breath, your lifestyle makes a difference. It’s also not just about preventing cavities and halitosis. You can also prevent things like gum disease or teeth staining by making the right choices.

Food and Drink Choices

It’s no secret that your diet can affect your oral hygiene and health. For example, we know that a diet high in sugar can encourage bacteria to grow. It’s also best to avoid having too many acidic foods, such as citrus fruits. Both sugar and acid can encourage bacteria to grow in your mouth. Starchy foods can raise acid levels in the mouth too, and can sometimes get stuck in your teeth. What you drink makes a difference too. Sugary drinks should be consumed sparingly, and alcohol can also cause problems. Alcoholic drinks dry out your mouth, which makes it easier for bacteria to thrive.

Smoking

Smoking and using other tobacco products can cause several problems for you. It can lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and even oral cancer. Smoking also stains your teeth, due to the nicotine, and it can give you bad breath. Choosing to smoke makes it harder to care for your oral health and maintain good hygiene. Not only that, but it can have an effect on your health in many other ways. If you want to improve your oral health, cutting out smoking or using other tobacco products should be the first thing you do.

Medications

Certain medications can have an effect on your mouth. For example, several medicines you can get over the counter can make your mouth dry. As mentioned before, a dry mouth means that bacteria can multiply more quickly and easily. This can lead to bad breath and tooth decay. Some medications could stain your teeth, such as some types of antibiotic. Other prescribed medications might have unfortunate side effects, such as oral thrush. However, you have to balance a drug’s side effects with its intended purpose. Sometimes, the solution is to change medications but other times it’s to be more vigilant with your oral hygiene.

Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Of course, the routine you keep to look after your teeth, gums, and mouth is important too. You have to make a conscious choice every day to brush, floss and perform other tasks for oral hygiene. If you don’t, you can start to get lazy about looking after your oral health. It can sometimes be confusing if you’re not sure when to brush and what you should be doing. If you’re ever unsure, talk to your dentist or dental hygienist.

It’s important to consider all the choices you make and how they affect oral hygiene and health. It should be something you think about every day.

Read More
Comments Off on Tips on Achieving Your Healthiest Smile
healthy-smile-oral-health

Tips on Achieving Your Healthiest Smile

Posted by

There are many common myths and concerns regarding the most important aspects of maintaining great oral health. The goal of any quality dental practice is to help their patients achieve their healthiest smile, and although a flawless Hollywood smile may be what some patients want, healthy is more important than perfect.

Health Over Perfection

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a perfect smile, but it should be the perfect smile for each patient and not adhere to an unachievable standard. Smiles make everyone unique and adds a bit of character. As long as the smile is healthy enough to last a lifetime and the patient feels great about it, that’s all that matters. Dental professionals ask their patients what they love about their smile and what, if anything, they want to change so they can work together to achieve a bright, healthy smile.

Home Oral Health Extremely Important

Keeping up great dental hygiene at home is the most important dental work that can happen in a person’s mouth. Aside from elected cosmetic dentistry and treating decay or cavities, dentists are happiest when they only need to see their patients every 6 months for a normal cleaning and exam. Brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day is the best way to prevent decay and cavities.

Proper Alignment More Important than Perfectly Straight

Braces and other orthodontic treatments produce straight, evenly spaced teeth, but what’s more important is that they create a properly aligned bite. Even someone with straight teeth may require bite alignment if they frequently bite their lips or cheeks, have difficulty chewing, suffer frequent headaches, clench or grind their teeth and have crowding or gaps between teeth. If a misaligned bite doesn’t receive some sort of correction, it can lead to more serious oral health issues.

Poking Around Gums is Necessary

Nearly everyone who has ever gone to the dentist complains about the dental hygienist and/or dentist poking around in their gums until they become sore or even bleed. Although some view it as a type of torture, dental professionals do it because they want to ensure their patients have the healthiest teeth and gums possible. The same holds true for asking about flossing habits. Only with a thorough exam and honest answers to questions, can dentists get a complete picture of a person’s oral health. Healthy gums are the foundation for a healthy mouth and with gum disease affecting almost half of adults 30+ in the U.S., it’s not something anyone can ignore. Without healthy gums, patients can’t receive treatments such as teeth whitening, bridges, veneers, Invisalign or dental implants. Once a patient achieves healthy gums, then they can consider additional cosmetic or restoration treatments.

Over-whitening Teeth can Cause Oral Health Issues

While brighter teeth can improve a person’s appearance, it’s possible for patients to over-white if they use at-home kits too often. In-office teeth whitening treatments are the safest, most effective way to brighten a smile, and a dental professional can advise a patient when they’re trying to bleach too often. Over-bleaching can cause gum irritation, tooth sensitivity and even chemical burns in the soft tissue of the gums. It can also wear away tooth enamel leaving teeth at a higher risk for decay. While touch-up treatments are often necessary to maintain results, it’s important that people whiten in moderation to maintain a healthy smile and avoid damage.

Achieve your healthiest smile with regular cleanings and exams from Dupont Dental.

Read More
Comments Off on The Unique Challenges Women Face Regarding Oral Health
women-dental-oral-health

The Unique Challenges Women Face Regarding Oral Health

Posted by

When it comes to oral health, women face unique challenges due to their hormonal cycles. Hormonal cycles in women affect how their bodies react to plaque and bacteria on their teeth and gums. It’s important for a woman to understand the relationships between hormones and her oral health so she can address any concerns before they develop into a serious dental issue.

Gums and Hormonal Cycles

During puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels increase and this can cause an increase in gum sensitivity. Some women experience swollen gums and bleeding right before menstruation, a condition called menstruation gingivitis. While this may clear up quickly, it may require additional oral health diligence. During pregnancy, some women experience more serious gingivitis that can lead to non-cancerous oral tumors. Pregnant women need to maintain regular dental appointments to treat any hormone related issues. Another factor that only women have to deal with is that oral contraceptives increase hormone levels and can lead to vulnerability to gum disease and tooth sensitivity. Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can cause oral health issues for women such as dry mouth that can increase the risk of tooth decay.

Additional Oral Health Issues Affecting Women

Temporomandibular Disorder, called TMD or TMJ Disorder, is something that women are twice as likely as men to suffer as it’s usually caused by teeth grinding or teeth clenching. TMJ Disorder can strain the jaw joint and damage teeth without treatment. Continued research suggests a potential link between HPV and oral cancer, and as women are the only ones with a test for HPV at this point, it’s important that they undergo regular oral cancer screenings. Women have a higher risk of developing osteoporosis than their male counterparts, and this condition can lead to jawbone loss and periodontal disease issues.

The Good News

Despite the issues hormones can cause with women’s oral health, women are much better at taking care of their teeth and gums than men. Maintaining great dental health habits reduces the risk of teeth and gum issues and studies show that women:

  • Consistently have regular dental checkups
  • Have better attitude toward dental health
  • Have great personal dental habits

With a better awareness of the effects of hormones on their body, women can take a much more proactive role in maintaining the health of their teeth and gums. A great, healthy smile can be a woman’s best accessory, and it helps boost her mood while giving a positive first impression.

If you’re a woman with concerns about your dental health, contact our understanding professionals at Dupont Dental.

Read More
Comments Off on Causes of and Treatments for Bleeding Gums
Bleeding Gums

Causes of and Treatments for Bleeding Gums

Posted by

When someone notices bleeding gums during brushing and flossing, it can be cause for concern. Not all reasons for bleeding gums require dental treatments, but it’s a good idea to visit the dentist for an evaluation that can find the cause and address it as necessary. One of the top reasons for bleeding gums is gum disease, which is why this symptom should never be ignored.

Causes of bleeding gums

Although gum disease is a common cause for bleeding gums, it’s not the only cause. Other causes of bleeding, tender gums include:

Brushing incorrectly

If someone brushes too vigorously and uses too hard a toothbrush, this can lead to sensitive, bleeding and swollen gums. It’s always best to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and to use gentle circular motions to clean the teeth and massage the gums. For those who use an electric toothbrush, it’s important not to press the brush head too hard into the teeth and gums, which can lead to irritated gums that can bleed and may eventually recede.

Flossing incorrectly

Flossing is an important part of oral hygiene because it removes plaque where a toothbrush can’t reach, but flossing wrong can cause irritation and bleeding. Instead of forcing floss between teeth, sliding it gently up and down and following the curve of each tooth is the best technique.

Gum disease and bleeding gums

Research indicates that a majority of people suffer from gingivitis, which is one of the early stages of gum disease. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss so it’s important to discover and treat it quickly before it can progress into periodontitis that can lead to tooth loss. Bleeding gums can be an early indication of gum disease and often happens when a person doesn’t have good oral hygiene. Without good oral hygiene practices, bacteria build up in the mouth, forms plaque on the teeth and can irritate and inflame gums to the point where they’re swollen, red and bleeding. Catching gum disease early makes it possible to reverse it with proper oral hygiene, but without treatment, gingivitis grows worse. Even without any discomfort, a person experiencing any of the following symptoms should consult a dental professional promptly.

  • Bleeding gums during or after brushing teeth
  • Bad taste in the mouth or bad breath consistently
  • Gum recession
  • Swollen, tender and red gums
  • Deep gum pockets between teeth and gums
  • Shifting or loose teeth
  • Change in bite or fit of partial dentures

If allowed to progress, gingivitis develops into periodontitis where the bones and gums holding teeth in place become unhealthy and compromised. Bacteria on the teeth release toxins that damage gums, cause infection and inflammation and degrade bone and gums. This can cause bleeding and swelling and eventually lead to tooth loss.

Preventing bleeding gums

The best way to prevent bleeding gums is by practicing good oral hygiene, which includes brushing twice daily and flossing at least once using the correct techniques. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is great for overall and oral health, especially when it includes proper amounts of calcium and Vitamin C for healthy teeth and gums. Drinking water during the day and after meals helps wash food off teeth and reduces bacteria formation. Avoiding or quitting tobacco use promotes better health in the body and mouth as tobacco inhibits the immune system and can lead to dry mouth. Stress can raise hormone levels that can lead to inflammation in the gums and rest of the body, so it’s important to find ways to relax and de-stress.

If you’re experiencing bleeding, tender or swollen gums, contact Dupont Dental immediately to set up an exam that can find the underlying cause and determine the best treatment.

Read More