How to Maintain Healthy Gums During National Gum Care Month

When most people talk of oral health, gums never seem to be part of the conversation. All attention seems to be directed to the teeth. You should know that teeth are held in place partly with your gums, so if anything happens to your gums, you risk losing them.

One of the common issues that plague most people is gum disease. It is often overlooked, yet it is a severe oral disease that causes gum inflammation, infection, and eventually tooth loss. The disease is quite subtle, and you might miss the warning signs, so you might not know when to seek gum disease treatment near you. Therefore, you will need to take better care of your gums.

For this reason, our dentist has compiled some tips on how you can care for your gums during national gum month.

Brush Correctly

Brushing every day is vital in keeping your teeth healthy. But did you know that your gums benefit too? Food debris can get lodged at the gum line, leading to plaque accumulation. You might develop gum disease if you do not clean your teeth along the gumline.

That’s not all! Brushing every day is one part of the process. It would be best if you coupled this habit with the proper technique to achieve effective results. You might get gum disease not because you are not cleaning your teeth but because your technique is a bit off.

Therefore, to get the most out of teeth cleaning, you will have to angle the brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gumline. Also, moving the brush in circular motions, using short and quick strokes, will ensure that all the food debris and plaque are removed.

When cleaning your teeth and gums, don’t be overzealous. You can irritate the gums if you are vigorous, eventually leading to gum recession. So, be gentle and remember to use the proper toothbrush. In other words, avoid a toothbrush with hard bristles; always gravitate to those with soft bristles.

Lastly, check on time. Don’t just do a quick touch-and-go; ensure that you have cleaned all the teeth’s surfaces for at least two minutes. As you know, brushing will have better results if you do it twice daily, and if you can, thrice a day after meals.

Floss Each Day

Brushing goes hand in hand with flossing your teeth. When you brush your teeth, you only clean three surfaces of your teeth, whereas two surfaces are left untouched. That’s why you need to floss your teeth.

Flossing will help you to clean the hard-to-reach surfaces where food and plaque hide. If you don’t remove the debris, tartar can form, which leads to gums disease, and in no time, you will be seeking periodontal treatment.

So, make flossing your teeth a daily habit. Do it at least once a day; it doesn’t matter if it’s after lunch, breakfast or before you get into bed; the point is that you do it.

Use the Right Toothpaste

There is a wide variety of toothpaste on the market. You can easily pick the one that might not favor your smile. Check the components to ascertain that it is an excellent toothpaste. Look out for the following characteristics: contains fluoride, is safe, effective, has enamel protection, and tartar fighting abilities.

Also, you can check if the toothpaste has a pleasant texture and taste and can cater to sensitive teeth.

Quit Smoking

Smoking affects so many parts of your body, including your gums. It is a major gum disease risk factor. The chemicals in tobacco weaken the immune system, so if the gums get irritated, they might not heal fast enough, thus doubling the risk of developing gum disease. So, if you let go of smoking, your entire body, plus your gums, will be grateful!

Watch Your Diet

Your body is built or broken down by what you eat. Always remember that your health is directly connected to your diet. So, eat teeth and gum-friendly foods such as high-fiber fruits, veggies, green tea, low-fat dairy products, and foods containing fluoride.

Visit the Dentist Often

You might visit our dentist only twice or thrice a year, but each visit is packed with benefits. Our dentist gets the chance to examine every aspect of your oral health. You will also enjoy various services that range from preventive care to restorative treatment.

So, if you wish to take advantage of these services, contact our dentist in Manalapan at Union Hill Dental to schedule an appointment.