Gingivitis, more commonly known as gum disease, is a type of infection that attacks the gums and tissues of the mouth and requires specialized care to treat.  These conditions often known as bacterial infections grow and spread and ultimately lead to the destruction of the gums and other supporting tissues surrounding the teeth. The bacteria form a sticky film called plaque that gathers around the gums at the edge of the teeth and causes tartar and plaque to accumulate. This advanced bacterial infection is known as periodontal disease and makes treating gum disease all the more challenging. The progression of periodontal disease is:

Gingivitis — gums bleed easily and often, are red, swollen, and sore

Periodontal pockets — plaque builds and the infection spreads under the gums

Periodontitis — The chronic infection of the gums spreads to the bones of the jaw

Treating gum disease is just one of the areas of service we offer here at Kopp Dental. We are proud to offer dental help for healthy gums and are here for all of our patients to help them with their dental needs and concerns- including gum disease treatments!

Gum Disease Causes

There are many reasons why people get gum disease and they range from biological factors to daily life choices that impact the teeth and gums. Gum disease causes include:

• Poor dental hygiene
• Improper brushing and flossing
• Smoking or chewing tobacco
• Some disease like cancer, diabetes, and HIV
• Emotional stress and chronic pain
• Poor nutrition and eating habits
• Consumption of lots of sugary foods and drinks
• Side effects of some medications and treatment drugs

The good news is most of these causes can be addressed with basic changes and adjustments to diet and lifestyle changes. Even if the gum disease is caused by a medical condition such as cancer or a medication that is necessary, adjusting other areas of life such as diet can help reduce the impact these conditions have on your gum health. Treating gum disease is a complex issue at times but once a plan is figured out, simply following good oral care practices can help protect your teeth. If you are looking for local dental help for healthy gums then contact us today and let us show you the Kopp Dental difference!

It is important to note that for advanced treatment of periodontal disease at Kopp Dental we believe it is best to see a periodontist.   We feel your best option for treatment is with the specialist. We will do our best to keep your teeth healthy; however, there are a variety of causes of periodontal disease.

Foods that May Help Treat Gum Disease

For those looking for a way to help limit gum disease, choosing healthy foods that supply the vitamins and minerals the body needs to stay healthy and strong is a good way to start! Here just a few of the foods you can work on incorporating into your daily diet:

• Wild-caught fish – salmon and other fatty fish have healthy omega oils
• Fresh foods – Helps lower infection by supply healthy vitamins
• Chewing gum with xylitol – Xylitol can help to prevent the build-up of bacteria
• Raw Vegetables – Crunchy veggies help to naturally clean teeth
• Fat soluble vitamins – Oils like coconut oil are healthy oils for cooking

Foods that Can Contribute to Gum Disease

These are some of the top foods that may lead to tooth decay and may contribute to gum disease:

• Sugar – The bad bacteria in the mouth thrives on sugar
• Fruit juice – It is sticky and keeps sugar in contact coating teeth
• Processed foods – All the additives and preservative damage teeth
• Grains – Bits of grains can get stuck in the gums causing infection
• Hydrogenated oils – These oils have little to no beneficial vitamins

Flossing helps remove plaque from between the teeth so bacteria and infections do not develop and spread into the gums. This should be done at least 1-2x daily

Natural Treatments For Gum Disease

The following holistic options may give some relief.  PLEASE NOTE in no way are any of these options substitutes for conventional treatment.

Adding a more natural approach to keep gums healthy may be of helpful assistance; however, it is always important you are under the care of a dental professional. You can try these natural treatments.

Coconut oil- may help to swish with coconut oil

Coenzyme Q10 – usually recommended at100 mg daily
This supplement can be taken once a day and the powerful nutrients may have a healing effect on gingivitis and help heal periodontal disease.

Vitamin C – best taken at1000 mg twice daily
Vitamin C has long been used to help ensure good tooth and gum health and a lack of vitamin C may cause gingivitis, bad breath, scurvy, and other issues!

Green tea – you can enjoy from 1 to 3 cups daily
Green tea has many amazing healing properties and as long as you make sure it’s unsweetened, the antioxidants in the tea may help combat gum disease.

Contact Us

Whether you are using natural treatments or traditional approach to dealing with gum disease, you need a strong dental support team in your corner! Gum disease is something to be sure to see a dental professional for. Treating and diagnosing gum disease is just one of the services we offer here at Kopp Dental and we invite you to call us today and let us show you how finding dental help for healthy gums is easier than you think. We look forward to hearing from you!