Ways To Keep Your Gums Healthy

Gum disease can result in tooth loss. Fortunately, a person can do quite a bit to prevent and even reverse the effects of gum disease.

These include:

Proper brushing

Brushing properly helps remove the food particles and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums. Brush your tongue too, since it can harbour bacteria. Use a regular-sized soft-bristled toothbrush.

Consider using an electric toothbrush. These can help decrease the chance of developing gingivitis and plaque in comparison to manual brushing. Change your toothbrushes or toothbrush heads every three to four months, or if the bristles start to fray.

Using fluoride toothpaste

When you use fluoride toothpaste, you’re nourishing your tooth enamel, which helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride can also help fix teeth that have suffered minor tooth decalcification.

Many scientific studies have shown that fluoride toothpaste helps keep cavities at bay, and that regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste is a reliable way to promote oral health.

For patients over the age of six, using fluoride toothpaste is a smart move. It may also be a good idea for younger patients if they are at high risk for cavities.

Daily flossing

Flossing at least once a day helps remove the plaque and food that’s beyond the reach of your toothbrush.

Rinsing using mouthwash

Usually available over the counter, fluoride mouthwashes can help reduce plaque, prevent or reduce gingivitis, reduce the speed that tartar develops, or a combination of these benefits.

Plus: A mouth rinse helps remove food particles and debris from your mouth, though it’s not a substitute for flossing or brushing.

Regular dental check-ups in Hoppers Crossing

If you visit your Hoppers Crossing dentist regularly, we can spot early gum disease signs. In that way, symptoms can be treated before they become more serious.

Professional cleaning at your dentist’s office is the only way to remove tartar. It can also get rid of plaque that you were not able to remove while brushing or flossing. If you suffer from gingivitis, brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings can help reverse its effects.

Quitting smoking

Smoking is strongly related to the onset of gum disease. Since smoking weakens the immune system, it also makes it harder to fight gum infections. Also, smoking makes it hard for your gums to heal once they’ve been damaged.

Aside from these steps to help keep the gums healthy, we will also provide diet tips for healthy gums and explain how to detect the symptoms of gum disease.