Oral Hygiene: The Key to Preventing Gum Disease

Oral Hygiene: The Key to Preventing Gum Disease

Oral Hygiene: The Key to Preventing Gum Disease 

Oral Hygiene: The Key to Preventing Gum Disease

One of the top concerns of dental patients in Lexington KY is the prevalence of gum disease. Gum disease is a serious dental condition that affects the tissues surrounding the teeth. However, the good news is that gum disease is preventable, and all it takes is good oral hygiene. We will discuss the key steps you can take to prevent gum disease and maintain good oral hygiene.

Brushing and flossing regularly

Oral hygiene starts with your daily brushing and flossing routine. Brushing your teeth twice a day, in the morning and at night, using fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush is essential for removing plaque and bacteria from the surface of your teeth. Also, flossing once a day to remove plaque that gets trapped between your teeth can prevent gum disease. Make sure to brush your tongue as well to remove bacteria that cause bad breath.

Regular checkups with your dentist

Regular visits to your dentist at Park Hills Family Dentistry are key to maintaining good oral health. During your visit, we can examine your teeth and gums, detect problems early, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Professional teeth cleaning twice a year can also remove tartar and prevent gum disease.

A healthy diet

What you eat can have an impact on your oral health. Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks; they create an environment where bacteria thrive. Instead, opt for a balanced diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, which can help neutralize acid in your mouth. Drinking enough water can also help flush away food particles and bacteria.

Quit smoking

Smoking is one of the major risk factors for gum disease. The chemicals in tobacco can damage your oral tissues and weaken your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight gum disease. If you smoke, quitting could be one of the best things you can do for not only your oral health but overall health.

Manage stress

Stress can affect your immune system, which can increase your susceptibility to gum disease. Try to manage your stress levels by engaging in relaxing activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.

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Gum disease is preventable with simple lifestyle adjustments and good oral hygiene habits. Engage in a regular brushing and flossing routine, visit your dentist at Park Hills Family Dentistry regularly, eat a healthy diet, quit smoking, and manage your stress. These are all important steps to protecting your oral health and preventing gum disease. Taking care of your oral health is just as important as taking care of your overall health, so start today!

Daily Habits to Keep Your Gums Healthy and Strong

Daily Habits to Keep Your Gums Healthy and Strong

Daily Habits to Keep Your Gums Healthy and Strong 

Daily Habits to Keep Your Gums Healthy and Strong

When it comes to taking care of our overall health, it is essential not to neglect our oral hygiene. Maintaining strong and healthy gums is crucial for our overall oral health. Gum disease can cause tooth loss and bone deterioration. Fortunately, there are plenty of daily habits that you can adopt to keep your gums healthy and strong. At Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington KY, our team of dental experts recommends the following habits to ensure your gum health.

Brush Properly and Consistently

Brushing your teeth twice a day is not enough; you need to ensure that you are brushing properly and consistently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean every tooth, including the hard-to-reach areas around your molars. Also, make sure to brush your gums lightly in a circular motion. This helps remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles from your mouth, which can lead to gum disease.

Floss Daily

Flossing your teeth isn’t always fun, but it’s crucial to remove plaque and bacteria from the areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing daily helps eliminate food particles and bacteria between your teeth and under the gum line. When food particles are left between your teeth and gums, it can lead to inflammation and irritation, causing gum disease. That’s why flossing every day is a must.

Cut Back on Sugary Foods

Eating sugary foods is not only bad for your overall health but also for your gum health. The sugar in sweets and sugary drinks promotes the growth of plaque and bacteria in your mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Limiting your sugar intake and incorporating healthier foods into your diet can help prevent these oral health issues.

Rinse with Mouthwash

Adding a mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine can help sweep away bacteria and debris from your mouth. A good mouthwash also helps neutralize acidic oral environments, which can lead to weakened enamel and cavities. Rinsing with mouthwash daily can help keep your gums healthy, freshen your breath, and leave your mouth feeling clean.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can cause significant damage to your gums and oral health in general. Smokers are more likely to develop gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. Smoking suppresses your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections, including those that cause gum disease. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your overall oral health.

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If you want to keep your gums healthy and strong, adopting daily habits such as brushing and flossing properly, limiting sugar intake, rinsing with mouthwash, and quitting smoking is essential. Taking care of your gums is crucial for your overall oral health, as it helps prevent gum disease, tooth loss, and other oral health problems. At Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington KY, our dental experts are always ready to help you keep your gums healthy and keep your winning smile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Stages of Gum Disease

stages of gum disease - Lexington KY

Stages of Gum Disease 

Stages of Gum Disease Explained From a Lexington Dentist

One of the primary reasons for tooth loss is gum disease. Gum disease includes two distinct stages. When recognized and treated in the early stages, the dental problem can be reversed, and tooth loss is avoided. Luckily, gum disease can be prevented with the practice of good oral hygiene. In this article, Dr. Jinyoung Kim, the best dentist in Lexington, KY, briefly discusses the different stages of gum disease.

Early Stages of Gum Disease

This stage just affects the soft tissue of the gums. Therefore, the patient may not feel any pain. Even if the symptoms are moderate, it is critical to detect gum disease at this early stage before it advances to periodontitis.

Gingivitis Symptoms May Include:

  • Gums that are swollen or bleeding
  • A metallic taste in the mouth
  • Bad breath
  • Receding gums
  • Increasing the distance between teeth

Periodontitis – Gum Disease in its Advanced Stages

Periodontitis is a more advanced form of periodontal disease that, if allowed to proceed, affects not only the gums but also the bone structures that support the teeth. Dr. Josh Eastham, a dentist in Grand Junction, CO, says that the symptoms may not be noted until moderate periodontitis is established if regular dental appointments are not made.

Gums That Are Healthy

If you regularly pay attention to your gums and teeth, you’ll know when something is abnormal. Additionally, Healthy gums are pink and firm. Also, they support the tooth well.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is caused by a bacterial buildup. In the early stages, there is visible inflammation around the gums, with gum tissues appearing red and swollen. Gingivitis is indicated by gums that are readily inflamed or bleed during tooth brushing. Plaque removal is required to avoid the development of gum disease. This treatment can be done at a local dental office during a hygiene cleaning.

Slight Periodontitis 

As the gums become inflamed in this stage of gum disease, they begin to pull away from the teeth, causing periodontal “pockets.” Food, bacteria, and plaque start to accumulate in the pockets, resulting in infection. Both bacterial toxins and the immune system’s response to infection destroy the surrounding bone.

Moderate Periodontitis 

Periodontitis symptoms worsen as the disease spreads, and some discomfort may develop. More bone is lost, teeth become looser, and the gums recede further. Additionally, this is one of the last opportunities to treat periodontitis. So, contact an emergency dentist in Lexington, KY for treatment.

Advanced Periodontitis

Advanced periodontitis, a leading cause of tooth loss in adults, is characterized by painful abscesses caused by the infection extending beneath the gums. This stage of gum disease is irreversible. Patients who lose their teeth will need to undergo restorative dentistry to prevent additional oral health problems. 

For help with your oral health, please contact Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington, KY.

What Do Bleeding Gums Mean?

what do bleeding gums mean - Lexington KY

What Do Bleeding Gums Mean? 

What Do Bleeding Gums Mean?

Ever noticed a bit of blood after brushing your teeth? What about after flossing? Gums may bleed for a few reasons, so what do bleeding gums mean? Generally, this is a sign of a few dental problems, such as gum disease. Apart from severe gum disease, there are ten other explanations why gums bleed, as well as how to avoid bleeding gums before they become a bigger problem. So, what do bleeding gums mean? In the article below, Dr. Jinyoung Kim shares exactly why your gums are bleeding.

Gingivitis

As we mentioned above, bleeding gums usually indicates the start of gum disease. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis. Tender and swollen gums, as well as bleeding gums during brushing and flossing, are typical symptoms. When plaque along the gum line isn’t properly removed, gingivitis develops. This sticky plaque attracts a wide variety of bacteria, which invade the gums and cause bleeding and sensitivity. Gingivitis may be prevented and reversed at this point before it progresses to more severe gum disease. To treat gingivitis, patients need to thoroughly brush and floss their teeth daily and see their dentist in Lexington, KY. 

Medications

Blood-thinning medicine is another potential source of bleeding gums. Blood thinners minimize the tendency of the blood to clot, making it easier to bleed, even at the gumline. Tell your dentist about any new drugs every time you see her. This aids the dentist in determining what is causing the bleeding gums and other oral issues. To help minimize or avoid gum bleeding caused by medication, your dentist can prescribe a different oral care routine.

Over Flossing

If your gums bleed after flossing for the first time, it’s possible that the flossing is to blame. You could experience slight gum bleeding if you skipped a few days of flossing or increased your flossing frequency per week. After a couple of flossing sessions, your gum bleeding will likely stop on its own, says our friend Dr. O’Grady, a dentist in Denver, CO. We recommend visiting your dentist if your gums bleed excessively or every time you floss.

New Toothbrush

Gum bleeding may also be caused by a fresh toothbrush. When you turn from soft to hard bristles, your gums can bleed. This is your body’s way of telling you to slow down. Most dentists advise using a soft-bristled toothbrush since it is gentler on the gums. If your bristles are hard, consider switching. Dr. Kim says that the bleeding should subside after a few brushes with your new soft-bristled toothbrush. 

Pregnancy Gingivitis

Yeah, there is such a thing. Increased hormones cause increased blood flow to your gums during pregnancy, making them more vulnerable to plaque and bacteria. As a result, brushing also results in tender gums and gum bleeding. You may be surprised to learn that pregnancy increases the chances of gingivitis. Patients can expect gingivitis to subside after giving birth.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Even a slight change in your oral hygiene can cause your gums to bleed. Stay adamant about brushing at least twice a day, morning and night, for two minutes. If you can, brush after each meal. Don’t forget to floss! Like we’ve mentioned before, you can stop gingivitis from getting worse and prevent it with good habits. Some of the following lifestyle habits directly affect your oral health. 

Poor Nutrition

Good nutrition is a great way to live a long and healthy life. Some packaged food additives irritate gums and cause slight gum bleeding. Instead, use better options. Include fruits and vegetables into your diet, as well as calcium, vitamins C and D, and magnesium. Make sure you’re getting your reaching your daily nutrients.

Stress

Living in a constant state of anxiety weakens the immune system, making it more difficult to avoid a variety of problems, such as gum disease. Inflammation of the blood vessels is also a product of stress. This causes soft tissues in your mouth to break down, delaying the healing of bleeding gums even further. Whenever possible, try to reduce the stress levels. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress.

Smoking

One of the worst things you can do to your teeth is smoke. In recent years, smoking and vaping have become more popular. This habit has a direct effect on your oral health and can create issues like tooth sensitivity, gum disease, and tooth loss. Quit the use of tobacco before it’s too late.

When dental problems arise, it’s important to see a professional. If you’re experiencing gum disease, contact Park Hills Family Dentistry. Our Park Hills Family Dentistry team is more than happy to get your oral health back on track with our professional dental cleanings. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Gum Disease Must-Knows

gum disease must-knows

Gum Disease Must-Knows 

Gum Disease Must-Knows

In honor of Gum Disease Awareness Month, Dr. Kim is sharing gum disease must-knows! If you’re not familiar with gum disease, it’s one of the most common dental problems in the world. In fact, more than 40% of adults in the U.S. have gum disease. Most dentists in Lexington, KY would rather you prevent gum disease than treat it. Here are few answers to the questions often asked about gum disease. 

What’s Gum Disease?

Gum disease is also referred to as periodontal disease, which is a very common dental condition. Those who develop gum disease have a good amount of plaque build-up. Plaque may be extracted by shaving, flossing, and mouthwash regularly and thoroughly. Even with great oral habits, it is still necessary to get a good dental cleaning every six months from your Lexington, KY dentist.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Gingivitis or gum disease is usually caused by bad habits:

  • Poor oral health habits
  • Uses of tobacco products such as chewing tobacco or smoking
  • Medications: Our friend, Dr. Kacos, a dentist in Shreveport, LA, says that gingivitis is a side effect of some steroids, anti-epilepsy products, calcium channel blocks, birth control, and cancer drugs.
  • Genetics: many individuals are naturally more vulnerable to gum disease.

Signs of Gum Disease

Although there are several stages of gum disease, the symptoms are pretty straight forward. First, you’ll notice that your gums start to bleed when you brush or floss. As the gum disease progresses, your gums will start to recede and bleed after doing everyday tasks like chewing. They will become swollen and red. If gum disease is left untreated, your teeth will eventually fall out. It’s important to stop gum disease as soon as possible.

How to Prevent Gum Disease

The three effective ways to avoid gum disease are by cleaning your teeth, flossing regularly, and seeing your dentist in Lexington, KY for a professional dental cleaning twice a year. Many normal citizens would not know whether they develop gum disease. That’s why it’s necessary to see Dr. Kim. There is a widespread belief that if you wash and floss daily, there is no risk of having dental problems. Since certain causes of gum disease are not specifically related to oral health, preventative dentistry is necessary. If you live in Lexington, KY, give our dental office a call to set up an appointment! Our team is happy to help you and your family with any dental concerns.