3 Things You Can Do At The Office To Keep Your Gums In Good Shape
When you are away from home at the office, you may be concerned that your oral health is suffering, especially if you have already had problems with the state of your gums. Since the gums support the teeth and their inflammation affects underlying bone, it is important for you to observe good periodontal care even when you are at work. Here are a few things that you can do at the office to help keep your gums in good shape:
Sip water throughout the day.
At work, there is likely access to water throughout the day. If water is not provided in the common area of your office, you can simply bring a couple of bottles from home. By sipping on water periodically, you rinse away oral bacteria and food particles that could inflame the gums. Sipping or rinsing with water immediately following your lunch break or after consuming small snacks at your desk can be especially helpful.
The oral bacteria in the mouth feed on leftover food particles and produce acid that irritates the gums. If left in place, the bacteria continue to produce greater amounts of acid, lowering the pH of your mouth to uncomfortable levels for your gums.
Plaque, which is a sticky mixture of bacteria and food, can coat the gums allowing the concentration of acid to be greatest adjacent to the sensitive tissues. Sipping the water helps wash away the plaque and edible debris while diluting the acid in the mouth.
Keep gum handy.
Even in important office meetings, you can discreetly chew sugarless gum. Not only does the gum help freshen your breath to make contacts with others on the job more professional. It also helps clean your mouth, which helps to protect your gums.
Sugarless gum does not provide any additional food for oral bacteria. In addition, the stickiness of gum can help pull matter from the teeth and along the gum line. Some types of sugarless gum contain a natural sweetener called xylitol that has further antibacterial properties to benefit the gums even more.
Take along interdental brushes.
Interdental brushes are small devices that may remind you of tiny pipe cleaners. They can be used after you eat at work to help remove any leftover food or plaque that is situated between the teeth next to the gums. These devices are generally more gentle to the gums than a toothpick and can be used quickly and discreetly.
To learn more ways to care for your gums at work, schedule an appointment with The Family Dentist in your area.
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