Dear Friends,
Many of you have asked me about which is the best oral care regimen is best for gum recession. I am glad you wanted me to discuss this because gum recession is a serious problem in American oral care.
Gum recession is when your gums pull away from your teeth, exposing the roots underneath. Many factors can cause this, from overly vigorous brushing to teeth grinding to smoking and even genetics. If you grew up before the 2000s, you were probably taught to brush your teeth as hard as you could–I definitely was. Unfortunately, this has led to a gum recession epidemic. Gum recession makes you more prone to cavities and oral infection, as well as tooth erosion or even tooth loss.
While there is nothing that can reverse gum recession besides surgery, there are ways that you can hopefully slow its progress. Here is the regimen that I recommend:
GREEN-LOADED DIET
Studies have suggested that gum disease is exacerbated by a deficit of Vitamin C. Eating a diet full of greens will help give your body the nutrients it needs to help support healthier gums.
NO SNACKING
Eating three meals a day with no snacking will help prevent mindless chewing that can fuel gum recession.
SWISHING WITH SALT AND BAKING SODA
This will help maintain the alkalinity of your mouth, which helps prevent enamel erosion, sensitivity, and cavities.
XYLITOL CHEWING GUM
Chewing gum with xylitol is antimicrobial, reduces plaque formation, and inhibits enamel demineralization.
OIL PULLING
Oil pulling is the act of swishing an oil-based formula between your teeth and over your gums. Oil pulling can have many benefits – not only can it whiten teeth and freshen breath, but it can help remove plaque-causing bacteria from your teeth and even reduce gum inflammation, which can make gums more susceptible to erosion and disease. That said, it is vital to choose a pulling oil that is made with only pure and natural ingredients, such as GuruNanda Coconut + Mint Pulling Oil is made with 100% pure and natural, double GC-MS tested ingredients for maximum wellness benefits.
TONGUE SCRAPING
Like oil pulling, tongue scraping is an Ayurvedic oral wellness practice that has been around since ancient times. It involves using a metal instrument to gently scrape excess bacteria and food residue off the tongue once or twice a day. This helps improve breath and sense of taste as well as helping to eliminate cavity-causing bacteria that also attack gums. While all GuruNanda Pulling Oil comes with tongue scrapers, we also sell them individually. When choosing a tongue scraper, it is important to select one made only of stainless steel.
FLOSSING
It is widely known and understood that flossing is vital to oral health, but I am happy to repeat it here. Flossing before brushing helps loosen and remove food particles and cavity-causing bacteria that can wedge between teeth as you eat and go about your day. Flossing also helps support healthier gums and reduce inflammation that can cause or exacerbate erosion and gum disease.
WATER FLOSSING
In addition to using conventional floss, a water flosser should become a part of your oral care routine. Water flossers send a narrow yet powerful stream of water through the space between your teeth, offering a deeper clean than conventional flossing alone and supporting healthier teeth and gums.
USING A SOFT-BRISTLE BRUSH
I created the Butter on Gums Toothbrush to help my customers with gum sensitivity, specifically from chemotherapy–which can make gums erode and even bleed upon contact. Thankfully, I have been gratified that many patients who are undergoing cancer treatment have reported that this brush helps them tremendously–and I would recommend it to anyone worried about gum erosion and gum health. It provides a deep, cleaning brush that is also gentle on gums.
BRUSHING TECHNIQUE
Of course, using a soft-bristled toothbrush will only help so much if you are brushing too hard and too vigorously. Instead of trying to scrub your teeth like they are dirty dishes, use soft, gentle circles. This will clean your teeth and gums without making erosion worse.
RISING WITH CONCENTRATED MOUTHWASH
Many conventional mouthwashes contain ingredients that can actually dry out your gums and kill the good oral bacteria that help protect gums (and provide other functions like helping digest your food). GuruNanda Concentrated Mouthwash is loaded with essential oils and extra vitamins that are antibacterial and antimicrobial, support stronger, healthier teeth, and support gum health while fighting inflammation. Plus, this tiny bottle is eco-friendly and will last you over 300 uses.
PROPER SLEEP AND A NIGHTGUARD
Sleep is key for overall health and wellness, and its importance has been widely documented. Getting deep, restful sleep is also important for gum health–not only because it helps your entire system function, but because it can help prevent teeth grinding and jaw clenching that comes when your nervous system is stressed. If you grind your teeth at night, investing in a good mouthguard is the best way you can combat this. Your dentist can make you a mouth guard molded to your mouth that fits well and prevents tooth grinding.
REDUCING STRESS
Just as sleep is important in helping prevent teeth grinding, so is reducing stress in your everyday life. If you are having concerns about your mental health, reach out to a medical professional. Take time to exercise, hydrate, and eat healthfully every day.
If gum recession is a concern for you, I sincerely hope you will take all these steps to slow or hopefully even stop it. I am proud of you for caring for your oral wellness.
Namaste,
Puneet
