Four Ways to Maintain Healthy Gums

 

Gums do not get nearly as much credit as they should when it comes to oral health and well-being. They might look like a simple pink tissue but there is more to them than that. The gums are responsible for keeping the teeth aligned and for absorbing shock. They act as an anchoring system for the teeth.

As important as they are, they are also prone to suffering from different diseases. This usually happens due to plaque. Plaque tends to build up around the gums and along the gum lines. This buildup can often turn into diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. Plaque can also create infections that can cause havoc in the gums. The good news is that there are ways to prevent all of this from happening. Below we have outlined four different tools that you can use to maintain your gums healthy.

If there is one thing that you take from this list, let it be this; make it a habit to brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing is critical for your dental health. This includes the health of your gums! Proper tooth brushing can remove the plaque from your teeth and gums. Remember, it is this same plaque that causes chaos to your gums. Try your best to be diligent when brushing your teeth so that you can remove all the unnecessary food particles from your teeth and gums. This will make a big difference in the long run. We also highly recommend that you brush your tongue as bacteria enjoy sitting there as well.

Brushing your teeth is a great start as it removes a big portion of the plaque in the mouth. However, there are instances in which food particles get stuck in places in the mouth which are hard to reach with a toothbrush. This is when flossing enters the conversation. Floss is able to get into the nitty gritty spots that a toothbrush has a hard time reaching. This means that plaque has less and less areas to hide in.

Mouthwashes are equipped with the ability to prevent gingivitis. They have antibacterial properties that are great at making it uncomfortable for bacteria to settle into the mouth. It is important to note that mouthwashes are not a substitute for either brushing or flossing your teeth. They are a complementary tool to use alongside brushing and flossing for optimal oral health.

You can brush, floss, and rinse your mouth and yet find out that you still developed a gum disease. The truth is that some areas in the mouth are very hard to reach and plaque can build up in these spaces. It’s also quite difficult to have a proper visual of your own mouth. This is one of the many reasons why bi-annual dental cleanings should be part of your oral health practices. Dental cleanings are an opportunity to have a dental hygienist go through each and every intricate space in your mouth and clean out any residue that has been living there. This is also a great opportunity to get an overview of your overall dental health and catch any issues that might be starting to build up early on.

Your gums play a crucial role. It is imperative that you care for them as much as you do for the pearly whites. Implementing these four practices in your oral health routine will make a world of a difference for your gums. If you are uncertain about how to properly use any of the tools mentioned, please know that our team is happy to teach you the best way to use them during your next visit. We are here to help you and answer your questions.