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!

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