It is estimated that 75% of the population have some form of gum disease. The most common form is gingivitis. As you get older, contracting gum disease becomes more of a risk.
What to do if you have bleeding gums
You may have noticed blood when you brush and floss your teeth. If so, you need to see a dentist. Bleeding gums shouldn’t be ignored. If left too long you may end up with other health complaints. (Unfortunately, bleeding gums are linked to a range of health problems, including strokes and heart disease). Taking action early is your best bet. You can also follow some of our tips to help you avoid gum disease. Prevention is indeed better than cure.
How to stop bleeding gums
1) Stop smoking. Yes yes yes, we’ve all heard that one a thousand times. None the less, few habits are worse for your body smoking. Giving up the tabs will do wonders for your oral health. Dentists have to remove many teeth on account of tobacco use.
2) Eat nutrient dense foods. This may seem obvious, but many people are missing out on vital nutrients. We live busy lives, and often don’t have time to prepare good meals. Don’t be a salad dodger. Seriously, you’ll feel much better if your plate is more colourful. Getting the right macro-nutrient balance can be tricky. If you’re struggling, you could opt for vitamin and fish oil supplements.
3) Oil pulling. What, I hear you ask, is oil pulling? It’s an ancient oral hygiene technique that dates back thousands of years. You’ll need some oil. Don't worry, we have you covered. Try our very own organic oil pulling mouthwash, blended with essential oils. Swill the oil around in your mouth, pulling it through your teeth. You don’t want to swallow it – obviously – or spit it down the sink. You’re best spitting it into the bin – bit gross, I know, but you don’t want a blocked sink. Ideally you should swish it around for ten minutes or more. If that’s too much, just go for as long as you can. The oil will pull bacteria and plaque from your mouth, helping to whiten teeth; as well as fighting bad breath. It’s a great way to improve your overall dental hygiene. We have sung the praises of oil pulling in a previous blog post.
4) Brush correctly. Don’t be one of those aggressive brushers waging war on your gums. It isn’t necessary to brush so hard. You can brush your teeth effectively in a circular motion – make sure the toothbrush isn’t grinding against your gums, as this can lead to gum recession. Receded gums don’t grow back, that’s the bad news. The good news is you can avoid recession by brushing more carefully. Sonic toothbrushes are better for this than manual ones.
5) Salt water. Gurgling with warm salt water is a classic way to clear the bacteria in your mouth. You can can also add some baking soda. As well as salt water, you could try an antibacterial, alcohol free mouthwash.
What are the causes
Gum disease is a modern phenomenon. Our ancient ancestors had no access to dentists, and no means of curing tooth ailments - other than pulling them out, which can’t have been pleasant.
None the less, our ancestors experienced less gum disease than we do. Our unwholesome lifestyles contribute to our dental ills. We consume too much sugar and processed food, which is why we have an obesity epidemic. It also contributes to bad oral hygiene.
Taking a holistic view of your health will help. Your mouth isn’t a unique entity separated from the rest of your body. Oral infection or inflammation can lead to related ailments elsewhere.
Maintenance is key to oral hygiene. It’s better to avoid a dental crisis than cure one. So, we suggest being proactive and avoid painful and expensive dental procedures.