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Disease of the gums can eventually infect or destroy your teeth, and increase your risk for heart disease by about 15 percent.
Also called periodontal disease, this is a disease that doesn’t become too apparent right away, but it can cause great discomfort in its advanced stages. The first stages of the disease is called gingivitis when the irritation is minor, and when the disease begins to cause loss of the bone in the jaw that holds the teeth in place, it is called periodontal disease.
The first tip that can be of great assistance is to take proper care of your mouth. You should brush your teeth regularly, and floss in order to get the food out from in between your teeth. Then use mouthwash to help to reduce bacteria that can further re infect your gums. By doing these things on a regular basis, you keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay and help to ward off future problems.
Next, eating the proper foods can help to ward off the problems from the inside of the body proper that can help to fight infection if it should occur, and in some cases help to prevent it. The eating of oysters, lamb and beef are high in zinc, which helps to fight inflammation, is an antioxidant and helps to boost the immune system. Vitamin B6, which is also found in beef as well as seafood, helps to fight gum disease.
For breakfast, have a bowl of cereal with milk to get your daily dose of calcium, which helps keep your teeth strong, the drink a glass of orange juice, which is full of vitamin C for good tooth and gum health. Eat spinach of beta-carotene, which is a good immunity-boosting substance. Eat other dark and leafy green vegetables for the same qualities. Eating carrots, squash, cantaloupe and apricots have the same effect.
The final tip for avoiding periodontal disease is to get your teeth cleaned by your dentist as often as you can. For most, a good cleaning 2 times a year along with proper brushing and flossing (and a good diet low in sugar) will go a long way to you keeping your teeth and gums healthy for many years to come.
If you think you may have periodontal disease it’s a good idea to treat it as quickly as possible. Give Island Dental Associates a call at (516) 565-6565 to set up a free consultation with our board certified periodontist.