What is the Best Way to Keep Gums Healthy?
Maintaining good mouth health is about more than making sure your teeth are straight and white. Your gums play a significant role in the overall health of your mouth as well! After all, your teeth can be as beautiful as ever, but if your gums are inflamed and diseased your mouth health will suffer as a whole.
There are many ways to keep on top of the health of your gums, and warding off gum disease is one of the best things you can do for your long-term mouth health.
What is gum disease?
When plaque and bacteria build up along the gumline and under it, gum disease can occur. Gingivitis is often the first stage of gum disease in which gums become red, swollen, tender and inflamed, as well as prone to bleeding- especially during brushing. If left untreated gum disease can also lead to infections in the gum and bone, resulting in tooth decay.
At Reflections-Dental Oakville, we’re focused on preventative dentistry. We provide tips, advice and treatment to our patients and reader community that will contribute best to their long term oral and overall health!
There are several signs that you might be experiencing the beginning stages of gum disease, including:
- Frequent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
- Gums that bleed during brushing or when aggravated by the wrong foods
- Gums that are often tender, swollen and/or red
- Signs of your gums pulling away from your teeth
- Teeth may feel loose or like they are separating from your gums
Top ways to keep your gums healthy
There are many ways that you can keep your gums happy and healthy, and all are very simple to incorporate into your daily routine.
Brush and floss daily
A consistent mouth health routine that has you brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day is one of the most important steps in gum health. Brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled manual or electric toothbrush will remove food and plaque that has become trapped between your teeth and in your gums while flossing helps to remove plaque and food debris that your toothbrush can’t reach.
Eat mouth-healthy foods
Another significant step in maintaining mouth and gum health is to think about what you are eating. Foods like hard candy, popcorn and dehydrated fruit can all get stuck in your teeth and aggravate your gums, leading to cavities and gum disease.
Use mouthwash
Rinsing with mouthwash once a day can have many benefits for your teeth and gums. This step in a complete mouth health routine can help reduce and prevent the accumulation of plaque, prevent gingivitis and reduce tartar. It can also help to remove food particles and other debris from your teeth in between brushing.
Be gentle
Brushing and flossing too aggressively can lead to your gums becoming irritated and swollen.
Get the right tools
Although any kind of brushing and flossing that you do will be better than not doing anything, there are benefits to using the right tools in your routine. A soft-bristled toothbrush that isn’t too big for your mouth paired with a fluoride toothpaste are the best tools for keeping your teeth and gums in top shape.
Quit smoking
Along with having significant affects on your overall health, smoking is also harmful to your gums. A weakened immune system is a common effect of a smoking habit, which can make it more difficult for your body to fight off a gum infection and heal in the event that they are damaged.
Visit your dentist regularly
Seeing your dentist for a check up and cleaning twice a year can help them keep on eye on any early signs that you may be developing gum disease. A regular cleaning will also remove plaque and tartar that you may have missed while brushing and flossing, ensuring that your mouth stays in top shape.
Healthy gums are the key to long term mouth health
Regardless of how often you brush your teeth or floss, the health of your mouth will be at risk if you don’t also maintain healthy gums. Learning how to recognize the early signs of gums disease and taking the steps to keep it at bay can ensure that your smile will be sparkling for years to come.
