Every September signifies the very important, but often unrecognized observation of National Gum Care Month. For how critical gum care is to not only oral health, but that of the entire body, this month is a symbolic reminder to prioritize and treat oral health and wellness as primary care.
In honor of this time, here are my top 4 unheralded tips that I believe hold the power to benefit anyone's oral care in a huge way.
When it comes to oral care, understanding the levels of good and bad bacteria in the mouth is critical. Therefor the first of my unsung oral health tips is to recommend the use of salivary diagnostics. This can be done through Salivary Testing of Microbes, an examination that offers valuable insights allowing accessible discovery of proactive untapped issues. Understanding the root of oral health and its current state is beneficial to knowing where to improve daily dental routines, as well as to catch potentially dangerous gum diseases in earlier stages, which in turn produces a higher chance of resolution.
Another piece of advice that often goes unnoticed is something that can easily be incorporated into everyday routines. It’s no secret that use of pre- and probiotics is on the rise via vast range of health supplements. These supplements are not just about gut health, but they are also an overlooked way to prevent cavities and gum disease at its root cause. Gum health can be improved by the cost-effective consumption of Prebiotic Mints that can neutralize sugars and acids in the mouth. The simple consumption of one of these mints holds the power to mitigate the formation of harsh plaque builders, providing significant oral health benefits.
In addition to mints and microbe health examination, blood panels can offer a variety of overall health benefits. Oral care is no different. This is why Systemic Inflammation Monitoring via HsCRP, a biomarker that can be identified in blood tests for inflammation, is a crucial component to monitor through routine labs. Monitoring blood levels and composition is common practice in primary care appointments, but remains a non-obvious approach for watching for the lingering effects of systemic inflammation that can be often linked to bacteria permeated from the mouth.
The final of these lesser known but effective gum health practices, is the use of an Oral Fitness Test. Just as with other aspects of our health and wellness examinations, a key method to ensuring a sound state of oral health is through taking an exam of this nature. This test determines the quantity of a salivary marker (MMP 8) that shows how fast and aggressive the breakdown of collagen is in the mouth. Higher numbers indicate a possible faster breakdown, and effectively alert clinicians to the potential progression of periodontal disease among other common oral health diseases.
By implementing these 4 methods as adjuncts to current oral health and dental hygiene routines, not only is optimal oral health unlocked, but enhanced overall bodily wellness with foundational systemic links are as well.
