The Natural Dentist Marks National Gingivitis Awareness Month With Prevention Strategies
Gingivitis Is Linked to Heart Disease and Stroke
Madison, N.J. (September 19, 2011) About 80 percent of adults in the U.S. have a form of gum disease, which could be gingivitis, according to the National Institute of Health. If left untreated, gum disease has been linked to a number of serious health conditions ranging from tooth loss to heart disease. September marks National Gingivitis Awareness Month and The Natural Dentist offers the following tips on how to prevent this very serious disease.
- Stop ignoring bleeding gums. Most people who have bleeding gums tend to ignore the problem. “When patients have gum disease they have swollen, bleeding gums and the tissues are inflamed,” says Dr. Dean Vafiadis, DDS, Founder of the NY Smile Institute, and Associate Professor of Prosthodontics at NYU College of Dentistry . “What’s really scary is that periodontal patients have a high risk of heart disease. Never take bleeding gums lightly!”
- Make oral healthcare a priority. Gingivitis can disappear within about a week once you start a program of good oral hygiene. If oral hygiene remains poor, gingivitis likely will remain. Make sure you brush your teeth regularly. The best times are in the morning and before bed. Floss your teeth at least once a day. Make sure that you use a soft toothbrush with bristles that reach the gum line when you brush. You should also incorporate a mouth rinse such as The Natural Dentist’s Healthy Gums Antigingivitis rinse to really bolster your oral healthcare routine. “Healthy Gums Antigingivitis rinse is the best non-prescription option for fighting gum disease,” said Dr. Michael Apa, DDS. In addition to using mouth rinse and brushing teeth regularly, cleaning between the teeth is very important. Stim-U-Dent plaque removers are soft wooden picks shaped to clean between teeth and gently stimulate gums after or in between meals. They are clinically proven to fight gingivitis by removing plaque from between teeth.
- Schedule routine dental exams. Have your teeth professionally cleaned every six months to one year. This can help to prevent plaque from becoming calculus—(calculus deposits form on your teeth and under the gum line. The dentist is looking for these deposits when assessing whether you have gingivitis). A professional cleaning will also remove calculus that has already formed.
For more tips on preventing gingivitis, please visit: www.stopbleedingnaturally.com or www.facebook.com/thenaturaldentist.