I often think of the gums as the cuticle of your teeth. This is because both things perform a similar function: they seal the tooth or nail and prevent bacteria from entering the body. The teeth protect all the underlying tissues, including the bones to which the teeth are attached. This way, your gums prevent things like cavities and tooth loss, but to do this well, your teeth need to be healthy. Therefore, it is a serious problem if you suffer from bleeding gums, receding gums or even gingivitis. In other words, discomfort or bleeding while flossing is not good. (And back to the beginning: the thread , right?)
Periodontal disease also puts patients at increased risk for other conditions, such as heart disease, dementia and diabetes, says Jeffrey Rapaport, MD, founder of Lavaan Dental in New York. And in [pregnant] women, it can also cause childbirth." He adds that gingivitis itself is a mild precursor to a more serious irritation called periodontitis. Fortunately, gingivitis is reversible. Healthy teeth become hard and look pink, says Rapaport. any redness, swelling and bleeding should be the first sign of a problem.
1. Table fight
When it comes to periodontal disease, the main culprit is plaque. Rapaport says that it starts to build up quickly after eating, and if it's not removed properly and regularly, it starts to calcify and spread under the gums, and that's when the biggest problems start. "Plaque and tartar bacteria cause the walls to swell and bleed as our immune system tries to fight them off," says Rapaport.
The best way to fight plaque is obvious: brush your teeth thoroughly 2-3 times a day (an electric toothbrush will help), and preferably after every meal. Floss at least once a day (ideally before bed). "Don't floss before bed just because it wakes you up, and don't brush your teeth for a few seconds on the way out the door," cautions Rapaport. "And ignore the voices against the thread."
Adding mouthwash is a good scorecard in a good oral care regimen, he says, and it's important to floss below the gum line to remove food debris and plaque that brushes can't reach.
2. Go to the dentist, seriously
We can all do better: it's important to visit the dentist twice a year for regular cleanings. Your hygienist will do you a big favor by doing a tough plaque and tartar reset, even if your mouth is begging for mercy at six months of cleaning. Some also require quarterly dental visits: “Patients with crowded or hard-to-reach dental areas, orthodontic patients, smokers and tobacco users are at increased risk of gum disease and need cleanings. every three months," says Rapaport.
He also recommends x-rays every 1-2 years if you are a healthy patient. “X-rays not only help check gaps between teeth, they can detect tartar below the gum line, check bone levels and detect the early stages of periodontitis called pockets.
First appeared in GQ.
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