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love at first floss: valentine’s day meets gum disease awareness month

love at first floss: valentine’s day meets gum disease awareness month

It's almost Valentine's Day, so naturally, we're talking about love! And by that, we mean love for your gums...because February is also Gum Disease Awareness Month. So along with the chocolates, cards, teddy bears, and romantic dates, we invite you to carve out some time to optimize your oral care routine for a healthy mouth + healthy you. To get you started, we're brushing up on the causes and stages of gum disease, how gum disease is connected to other health concerns, why early detection and prevention are so important, and the special relationship between flossing and gum disease. what is gum disease? Gum disease is a bacterial infection in the gum tissue, which can lead to inflammation, tissue damage, and so much more. You might find gum disease disguised under different names, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, or periodontal disease. Here's a brief look at what these names mean. gingivitis refers to the early, mild stages of gum disease. At this point, you can reverse the issue with diligent oral care and help from your dentist and hygienist. periodontitis (aka periodontal disease) covers the more serious, late stages of gum disease. At this point, your gums can separate from your teeth (leaving pockets for bacteria). You can also experience bone loss. While this stage cannot be reversed, it can be managed with help from your dentist. As you can see, gum disease prevention (and early treatment) are both very important. Here are a few symptoms to look out for as early red flags for gum disease, especially if they're persistent.  red, purple, or swollen gums gum bleeding gum recession tooth sensitivity, especially around your gums pain with chewing changes in your bite alignment loose teeth Now that we've covered what gum disease is, let's dive into some common issues.   what causes gum disease? While there are so many different causes of gum disease, we've outlined a few common ones below. plaque buildup from poor oral hygiene genetics smoking and excessive drinking chronic dry mouth rapid hormonal changes autoimmune disease certain medications crooked or crowded teeth dental work (like fillings, implants, and bridges) stress! The good news is that you can craft a diligent oral care routine for gum disease prevention!   why is gum disease prevention so important? Did you know that gum disease is a warning sign for larger, systematic diseases? Below we've outlined a few common whole-body conditions linked to gum disease. heart disease and stroke: bacteria in your mouth can travel through your bloodstream to your heart's blood vessels, leading to complications. diabetes: gum disease can also disrupt your blood sugar regulation. If you have diabetes (or if you're at risk), you'll want to look out for signs of gum disease. cognitive issues: recent research suggests that gum disease could be linked to dementia and may speed up cognitive decline. It's no surprise that scientists are also linking metabolic issues (aka problems with blood sugar regulation) to dementia too...based on our last bullet point! respiratory infections: the bacteria from gum disease can also travel to your lungs, worsening respiratory issues like COPD, pneumonia, and more. On top of that, people who already have existing respiratory issues might have weakened immune systems that make them more susceptible to gum disease. We know this sounds scary, but it's so important to know, so you can keep a watchful eye on your gum health. If you start to experience sudden bleeding, swelling, or redness, get your gums checked out right away!   the relationship between flossing and gum disease It's true that every step in your oral care routine plays an important role in preventing and treating gum disease. But flossing and gum disease have a unique relationship.  Unlike brushing alone, flossing can clean the tight spaces between your teeth and areas along your gum line. This is why dental professionals recommend flossing once daily! Davids expanding floss is designed to scrub away bacteria and plaque in these pesky places to help you prevent gum disease and other oral health complications Many new flossers often experience gum bleeding, which can sometimes be a false alarm for gum disease. Here's what we mean: when you first start flossing, the impact of the floss on your gums can cause some bleeding. This is because (1) your gums aren't used to it (2) you're pressing too hard or (3) both! If your gums bleed as you go, we know it can be tempting to toss the floss altogether. But we want to remind you bleeding can be a sign that your gums need consistent flossing. So we recommend proceeding with caution. give it a week: continue to floss daily with proper technique for one week. Proper technique includes careful, gentle movements, wrapping the floss around each tooth and gently gliding it up and down. If the bleeding persists... visit your dentist: they can assess you for gum disease and recommend next steps to stop the bleeding and discomfort   your healthy gum + mouth routine for v-day Isn't it a funny coincidence that Valentine's Day falls within Gum Disease Awareness Month? In honor of these two occasions, we outlined an effective oral care routine to keep your gums and teeth feeling healthy and happy. floss once daily with Davids expanding dental floss: now you know flossing and gum disease have a unique relationship, so be sure to keep up with this daily ritual for your gum health! brush twice daily with Davids natural toothpaste: every flavor in our lineup is formulated with ingredients that work together to tame bacteria, scrub your teeth, prevent dry mouth, maintain a healthy mouth pH, and nurture your gum health. scrape your tongue with Davids stainless steel tongue scraper: this removes extra bacteria that love to sit in the pores and grooves of your tongue (and make their way to your gums).  freshen up as needed: don't forget to add in some extra brushing and flossing after your meals. It's Valentine's Day after all! schedule dental appointments: gum disease prevention (and early detection) are crucial. We encourage you to visit your dentist every six months for a deep cleaning and professional assessment. Why not schedule those appointments now? Did you know that every one of our toothpaste boxes contains a secret love message? If you look closely, you'll find "D2MFBAMB" printed on your Davids box. Keep your eyes peeled as we dive into the meaning of this secret message on Valentine's Day! buy now.  
effects of gum disease on the body love is in the air: make sure you're nurturing a fresh mouth and healthy gums

love is in the air: make sure you're nurturing a fresh mouth and healthy gums

It’s finally February, and love is in the air! (And so is your breath, good or bad.) You probably already know that February means Valentine’s Day. But did you know that February is also National Gum Disease Awareness Month? While it’s not as “cute” as Valentine’s Day, it’s certainly an important topic. It’s estimated that over 80% of adults have some stage of gum disease, and many don’t even know it. The good news? Gum disease is preventable and treatable, especially when you start early.  So in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, let’s discuss the ways you can keep your mouth super fresh and resilient against threats such as gum disease. what are the symptoms of gum disease? Gum disease is an infection of the gum tissue, resulting in pain, inflammation, and often redness and bleeding. The infection is caused by a buildup of bacteria and plaque in the mouth, often due to poor oral care habits. The tricky part is that gum disease often starts off without any real symptoms. The plaque and bacteria buildup is hard to notice if it’s not causing physical symptoms. This is why it’s so important to practice good oral care habits before you have any real physical issues. So, what are the symptoms of gum disease? bleeding while brushing / flossing red /purplish gums swelling and inflammation consistent bad breath a lingering bad taste in your mouth gums pulling away from your teeth (making them look longer) rough dental plaque around the base of your teeth Symptoms of advanced gum disease include: gum pockets shifting / loosening teeth pus buildup around your gums bright red gums / persistent bleeding Our biggest piece of advice is to know the signs and remain alert for the early signs of gum disease. When you catch it early, it’s much easier to treat and prevent. If you’ve already advanced to moderate/serious symptoms, we recommend seeing your dentist as soon as possible! effects of gum disease on the body As we always say, your mouth is the window to your overall health. Gum disease affects a lot more than just your mouth, as the bacteria that cause it can travel through the rest of your body, contributing to other health problems. In fact, it’s been linked to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, osteoporosis, and various types of cancer. This risk goes both ways, as these conditions can also increase your risk of developing gum disease. As you can see, different parts of the body are always communicating with each other. We don’t say this to worry you, we say this to empower you. If you’re reluctant to do your oral care routine early in the morning or late at night, remember the crucial role your mouth plays in your overall health. We hope this inspires and motivates you to stay on top of your holistic oral care routine. what other things can contribute to bad breath? In addition to gum disease, here are a few other things that can contribute to bad breath. pungent foods dry mouth tobacco use poor oral hygiene sinus troubles / infection certain medications As Valentine’s Day approaches, we want to help you do everything you can to avoid bad breath and feel fresh, confident, and healthy. Below, you’ll find a few of our top tips. how to keep your mouth healthy and fresh with Davids Good oral care habits are your main line of defense against conditions like gum disease and bad breath, and we’re here to make your oral care habits as healthy as they can be! In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, freshen up your oral care routine with Davids. Our toothpaste contains intentional ingredients, meaning every single one of our ingredients plays a role in nourishing your mouth. To name a few: xylitol works to “starve” the bad bacteria in your mouth while providing sweetness + moisture that combats dry mouth. our premium peppermint oils kill bad bacteria and leave your mouth feeling super fresh and minty. sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) neutralizes acids in your mouth that would otherwise cause plaque. It also removes surface stains to whiten and polish your teeth! our ultra-fine hydrated silica “exfoliates” your teeth to break down plaque and bacteria that might otherwise accumulate and contribute to gum disease. calcium carbonate is another very gentle abrasive that reduces plaque, removes surface stains, and leaves your teeth fresh and white. nano-hydroxyapatite (found in our sensitive+whitening toothpaste) is the ultimate natural remineralizing ingredient. The tiny particles penetrate your tooth’s surface, working to strengthen your enamel from the inside out and correct any imperfections in your teeth. This makes your teeth more resilient to threats such as gum disease. Each of these ingredients is sustainably sourced and derived from nature: one of the best (if not the best) healers out there. To get the most out of these incredible ingredients, here are our top recommendations for a healthy, holistic oral care routine. Brush every morning and night with your favorite flavor of Davids. Floss daily at least once, and if you’re only flossing once, do it at night. Tongue scrape after you brush with our stainless steel professional tongue scraper. Use a natural mouthwash fortified with hydroxyapatite. (Stay tuned for a special announcement for us about this.) Prioritize stress reduction. Many people don’t realize that stress plays a huge role in your oral (and overall) health. It can lead to inflammation and a compromised immune response (which is particularly unhelpful when it comes to fighting gum disease). For more tips on nurturing the freshest mouth possible, check out our recent article: embracing a new opportunity for a fresh start + smart mouth in 2023. happy valentine’s day! As always, if you’re still hesitant about our toothpaste, we encourage you to just give Davids a try. The proof is in the paste, and you won’t ever want to go back to conventional toothpaste. Did you know that every single box of Davids has a secret love note written on it? Learn more about the love story behind “D2MFVAMB” here. To celebrate this month of love, treat your mouth to a tube of Davids. We know it’ll be the freshest February yet, and we hope you can feel the love that we put into every single tube of toothpaste. buy now.

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