5 Tips for Healthy Gums

Sep 17, 2020

Your pearly whites get a lot of attention, but when was the last time you thought about the health of your gums?  Your gums play a vital role in your beautiful smile and your overall health. When you brush and floss your teeth you’re not just preventing cavities,  you’re also protecting your gums from developing gum disease.  Also known as periodontal disease, it is the leading cause of tooth loss, impacts your overall health, and as we’ve discussed on the blog before, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.  So what are the ways you can improve the health of your gums?  Here are 5 tips to help keep your gums healthy:

1. Brush Properly

A proper brushing technique is essential to preventing gum disease.  Start with a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush at a 45 degree angle to your gum line.  Use short strokes and make sure you get all surfaces of your teeth.  You should spend 2 minutes, twice a day on brushing.  When you’re done with your teeth, don’t forget to brush your tongue, too!  If you have questions about your brushing technique, don’t hesitate to ask your hygienist for a quick demonstration at your next appointment…our hygiene team loves to help and share their knowledge!

2. Floss Daily

An important part of your oral health care regimen, flossing helps remove food and plaque from between the teeth.  We know flossing can be a hard habit to stick with so if you’re looking for other ways to clean between your teeth, check out our blog post on alternatives to traditional flossing.  If you notice any bleeding when you floss let us know at your next visit–this can be an early sign of periodontal disease.  Find a method that works for you and stick with it!

3. Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health!  People who smoke cigarettes are four times as likely to have periodontal disease, and smoking makes it harder to manage treatments.  Let us know if you have questions about smoking and oral health care or if you need help quitting…we want to support you!

4. Eat Your Fruits, Veggies, and Nuts

Eating a diet rich in healthy fruits and vegetables is good for your body, good for your teeth, and good for your gums.  By incorporating foods that are rich in Omega-3s, vitamin C, and fiber you are not only getting essential nutrients, you are reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system, and in the process supporting the health of your gums as well.  Snack on some almonds, bell peppers, and leafy greens for the win!

5. Schedule Regular Visits to Falmouth Dental Arts

Coming in for regular check-ups with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos is an important part of your oral health care. Seeing us regularly helps us monitor the health of your gums and teeth and notice if there are early signs of gum disease we can help you reverse.  We are your partners in oral health care and want to help you have effective dental care for a healthy mouth and a healthy life!

 

If you have questions about the health of your gums or need to schedule your next appointment, please call us at 207.781.5900.  We are working diligently to schedule patients  with our new safety protocols, and appreciate your patience.  We look forward to seeing you!

 

Tooth Culture Around the World

Sep 11, 2020

Pack your toothbrush!  Let’s travel around the world and learn about tooth culture in other countries!  While the goal of oral health is the same across the globe, other cultures have different values and practices surrounding teeth.  At FDA, we love an opportunity to learn…come join us in this dental exploration!

Tooth Fairy or Magic Mouse?

What do your kids do when they lose a tooth?  Throw it up on the roof?  If you lived in Vietnam, that is exactly what they would do!  There are oodles of interesting teeth traditions beyond the tooth fairy.  For example, in Mexico, kids put their teeth in a little box for El Raton, a magic mouse, kids in South Africa put their lost teeth in their slipper for another magic mouse, and Yupik children in Alaska feed their teeth to the family dog with the hope it will help a new healthy tooth replace it.  You and your kids can learn about more traditions from around the world with the book Throw Your Tooth on the Roof! 

Straight Teeth or Crooked Teeth?

Americans are known for their love of straight teeth and can spend a lot of time with a dentist or orthodontist to achieve that perfectly aligned smile.  In Japan, however, you might ask your dentist to give you a more crooked, pointy grin with Yaeba.  Yaeba, or “double tooth” is a cosmetic procedure to make a cap for the canine teeth that is longer and pointier.  It is associated with youthfulness and natural beauty and a popular trend for young women.  

Toothbrush or Chewing Stick?

The toothbrush is an integral part of our oral health regimen and key to keeping plaque at bay, but have you ever tried Miswak?  Miswak is an Arabic word meaning “tooth-cleaning stick” and is considered to be the first documented form of dental hygiene.  Made from the Salvadora persica tree, it is popular throughout the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, and is gaining popularity in other parts of the world as well.  In fact, there are some studies that show that using a Miswak is as effective or greater than a toothbrush.  Given that it’s 100% natural and biodegradable, more and more people are turning to Miswak as a natural oral health care option.

 

We hope you enjoyed these fascinating facts from around the world!  If you know about any other fun tooth culture trivia, share it on our Facebook page!  We look forward to seeing you at your next appointment!