More than half of adult Americans have gum disease. Poor nutrition caused much of it, with neglect contributing a share.
Gum disease has been linked to heart disease. Doctors suggest that bacteria from diseased gums moves into the blood and then to the heart, causing heart attacks and stroke.
The saliva of people with gum disease doesn’t have the antioxidant effectiveness of healthy people, inhibiting the body’s ability to ward off inflammation.
Other gum disease risks may include rheumatoid arthritis, low-birth-weight and premature births, and respiratory infections. Seniors with sore gums have a higher rate of chronic illness.
You’re ahead if you are already flossing regularly and brushing properly with a soft-bristle brush. You’re in even better shape if you’re avoiding sugary snacks and increasing your intake of fresh (and frequently raw) fruits and vegetables.
On that strong foundation, build better gums with these tips:
- Chew your food well.
- Carry sugarless gum for those occasions when you can’t brush. It’ll produce saliva to help carry away food particles from your teeth.
- Consider vitamin and mineral supplements. Vitamins A, B-6, C and D and folic acid are thought to be especially effective in preventing gum disease, as are calcium, magnesium, Omega-3 and green tea supplements.
Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.
