Make Oral Health a Priority

A beautiful smile is a healthy smile and something that’s worth protecting. But your smile is more than teeth. Your gums matter, too.

Chicago cosmetic and restorative dentist Dr. Jen Moran says our gums deserve far more attention than they typically receive. And the reason is simple. Research shows a direct association between gum health and cardiovascular health, Moran says.

“Our gums are connected to the bloodstream, and that means any bacteria in our mouth can enter our bloodstream and make its way into our heart,” she says. “There’s a connection between gum disease and diabetes. We know that when we see gum disease in the presence of good oral hygiene, it could be the first sign of sugar problems in a patient.”

There are also connections between gum health and autoimmune diseases, she adds. When dentists see red flags, they will recommend inflammatory marker tests or, in the case of diabetic concerns, A1C tests, to help the patient address these concerns.

“If there’s inflammation present, that can tell us something, if it’s chronic, if it’s acute. That gives us clues into what kind of treatment may be needed,” Moran says.

Moran notes that bloody gums are a warning sign. She stresses that healthy gums do not bleed, even with vigorous brushing and flossing. If you’re getting bleeding when flossing, there’s some inflammation in the gums, most likely due to an irritant from plaque, or your gums are dried out from mouth breathing.

“Once plaque forms into tartar, it’s nearly impossible for you to remove it. If you’re brushing and flossing, and taking care and getting bleeding gums, call your dentist,” she says.

Grinding is another issue that concerns Moran.

“One of the things I see almost every day is grinding. So many people seem to be clenching and grinding their teeth,” she says. “If you’re having this, you’re not only hurting your jaw, you’re wearing your teeth down. The supporting structures, the gums and ligaments, are getting trauma. It can actually loosen the teeth in their sockets.”

Top Tools

Moran says the best oral health tools are easily attainable and highly recommended by the dental profession. An electric toothbrush, such as the Sonic Toothbrush, which delivers tens of thousands of brush strokes per minute, is essential. Moran says it’s a good tool for pediatric patients as well. The brush should be accompanied by a good toothpaste, which should include fluoride and nano-hydroxyapatite, which can calm some sensitivity issues and deposit calcium and phosphates back into the enamel. You should brush a minimum of two times per day, but Moran says if you can do it more often, the better your oral health will be.

Floss is also an essential tool. But Moran says it’s important to know the right way to floss. It’s important to angle the floss to ensure that you’re cleaning both your gums and your teeth. A water flosser is also a good tool to include, but Moran says it doesn’t replace “good old-fashioned string floss.”

Mouthwash is something that can be helpful, but Moran says it’s important to find one that doesn’t contain alcohol. Alcohol doesn’t do much to benefit dental health, she notes.

Also, some vitamin supplements can help. Moran says vitamins C and D and calcium support the basics of oral health.

Some foods are also beneficial to oral health. Moran says people want “hard, fresh whole foods, fresh fruits and vegetables.” These foods mechanically clean teeth, increase saliva flow and supply essential vitamins, she says.

Moran also reiterates the old dental proverb that “sugar will rot your teeth.” Well, not exactly. She says sugar itself doesn’t cause cavities, but the bacteria that feed on sugar cause cavities.