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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.
causes of gum bleeding red is reserved for love: how to alleviate five causes of gum bleeding this v-day

red is reserved for love: how to alleviate five causes of gum bleeding this v-day

February has arrived, which means Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! While February is famously the month of love, it’s also National Gum Disease Awareness Month, which leads us to the question: are your gums bleeding for no reason? In the US, nearly half of all adults over the age of 30 show signs of gum disease, and we want to help lower that number by spreading awareness and creating incredible gum-nurturing products. One of the most common warning signs of gum disease is bleeding gums, one of the many messages from your mouth that you should never ignore. To help you nurture your gum health and have the freshest Valentine’s Day yet, we’re covering some of the most common causes of gum bleeding....and the best Davids-centered routine to care for your gums. are your gums bleeding for no reason? common causes of gum bleeding and how to alleviate them 1: brushing too hard It’s a common misconception that you can achieve a deeper clean by brushing harder. The truth is that brushing harder can actually do more harm than good. It can hurt your gums and lead to bleeding and stinging. It can also lead to sensitivity because it can cause your gums to recede and your enamel to weaken, both of which can expose the “tubules” that lead to your tooth’s ultra-sensitive center nerve. The good news is that this is one of the causes of gum bleeding that’s super easy to fix. All you have to do is go light on the brushing....and make sure you’re using a soft bristle toothbrush, like our premium bamboo toothbrush. For a gentle, effective cleaning, try completing a mini-mindfulness practice during your oral care routine. Carefully clean each tooth with intention, holding your soft toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and cleaning the front, back, and top surface of each tooth. Be sure to gently brush back and forth on the gum line to remove any plaque buildup that could lead to gingivitis. 2: improper or inconsistent flossing If you’ve recently started a new flossing routine and notice your gums start to bleed out of the blue, your gums might not be used to flossing yet. While it can be tempting to toss the floss when your gums bleed, it actually might be a sign that your teeth really need flossing. The trick is to floss every single day with consistency, and the bleeding should eventually subside. Be sure to use proper technique by gently “hugging” each tooth with the floss and gliding the floss up and down without too much force in the downward direction. Also, ensure you’re using carefully designed dental floss like the Davids expanding dental floss. It’s woven with over 250 strong yet soft threads that expand as you go to fit in tight crevices and grab more plaque and debris along the way. Not to mention, it’s infused with xylitol and nano-hydroxyapatite to help fight bad bacteria and remineralize your enamel in those hard-to-reach areas to keep your teeth and gums healthy. 3: hormonal changes Hormonal changes are one of the (more unexpected) causes of gum bleeding. For example, have you heard that increased estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy can lead to gum bleeding and gum disease? Pregnancy gingivitis can cause increased inflammation in your gums, causing tenderness, redness, and bleeding. Dental experts believe that the increased inflammation is caused by increased blood flow to your gums and decreased immune response due to pregnancy. This makes it harder for your mouth to fight off bacteria and plaque, which is why it’s extremely important to stay on top of your oral care. Flossing daily and brushing with hydroxyapatite toothpaste can help keep your gums healthy and strong during periods of hormonal changes. As the hydroxyapatite particles in our sensitive + whitening toothpaste work to fortify your enamel from the inside out, gentle abrasives work to break down stubborn plaque, and xylitol + peppermint oils fight and starve the bad bacteria in your mouth. The result is a bright smile, healthy gums, and fresh breath....just in time for Valentine’s Day! 4: certain health conditions Various conditions such as diabetes, nutrient deficiencies (such as low vitamin C), blood disorders, and autoimmunity can cause gum bleeding. If you’re continuously asking yourself, “Why are my gums bleeding?” and they don’t stop after a few days of proper diet and oral care, it could be a sign of something deeper. Be sure to book an appointment with your dentist and primary care doctor to see if any underlying conditions are contributing to your inflamed gums. Remember, your oral health is a cornerstone of your overall health! 5: stress When you think of the impacts of stress on your body, you probably don’t think of it as one of the main causes of gum bleeding. But stress can play a central role in your gum health! Not only can stress increase inflammation and blood flow in your gums, but it can also cause you to subconsciously clench your jaw and grind your teeth (during the day and when you’re sleeping). Jaw clenching (bruxism) can lead to gum recession and make your gums more vulnerable to attacks from bacteria and other microorganisms. To help reduce stress, nurture your immune system, and regulate your nervous system, we recommend finding a form of exercise you can stick to for 30 minutes every day. It’s also best to reduce (or ideally eliminate) caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use. curate your healthy gum routine in time for valentine’s day To celebrate Valentine’s Day and National Gum Disease Awareness Month, curate an oral care routine that officially eliminates that pesky question, “Why are my gums bleeding?” At Davids, all of our products are crafted with deep care and intention, so your gums and mouth can feel healthy and radiant every day. We touched on a few of these already, but you can start building your healthy gum routine with our... expanding dental floss: crafted to effectively remove plaque and bacteria and fortify your teeth and gums with xylitol, nano-hydroxyapatite, cocoa butter, and mint essential oils premium bamboo toothbrush: designed with natural bamboo and soft BPA-free bristles derived from castor oil (instead of petroleum) to nurture healthy teeth and gums premium toothpaste: formulated to gently exfoliate your teeth, fight bacteria, nourish your gums, freshen your breath, reduce sensitivity, and naturally whiten your smile stainless steel tongue scraper: made to gently remove the film of bacteria and pathogens on your tongue, so your immune system can focus its resources on keeping your teeth and gums healthy and happy Have you noticed the secret love note on your box of Davids toothpaste? Find out what D2MFVAMB means here, and treat yourself and your loved ones to an oral care routine crafted with love. buy now.

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