6 Ways to Maintain Healthy Gums

February 4, 2021

When it comes to your dental health, regular brushing and flossing are going to keep your teeth and gums protected from the bacteria-causing plaque and tartar buildup that leads to infections, tooth decay, and bone loss.

If left untreated, you may develop gum disease which can increase your chances of developing other serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

Here are 6 ways you can maintain your healthy gums and what gum disease symptoms to watch for. 

How to Keep your teeth healthy with nutrition

What Are The Symptoms of Gum Disease? 

A buildup of plaque on the teeth, which is a film that contains bacteria, food, and other particles, can cause inflammation in the gums.

Plaque, if not removed, will harden into tartar which can only be removed with a professional dental cleaning. 

  • Bad breath that does not go away with brushing and flossing.
  • Swollen gums that bleed easily or are tender to touch. 
  • Gums that pull away from the teeth (receding).
  • Pain when you bite down or chew regular food. 
  • Teeth that are sensitive or are loose.

Maintain Your Healthy Gums With These 6 Steps

1. Make Sure to Floss Daily.

While pushing and pulling a piece of dental floss through your teeth isn’t the most appealing to everyone, forming this habit goes a long way to removing food that gets stuck between your teeth.

It is recommended that you floss at least once a day, ideally after dinner to remove all stuck food from the day. However, you can also floss after each meal too.

2. Get Professional Cleanings Done

Booking in for regular dental cleanings every 6 months is going to help your dentist catch the early signs of gum disease. They can then give you a dental oral regimen or techniques that can help you reverse the disease depending on what stage of the disease you are in.

3. Stop Smoking Altogether

For those who are regular smokers or tobacco chewers, quitting is one of the best things you can do to prevent the onset of gum disease. These contain a large amount of chemicals that, when ingested, can weaken your immune system. This makes it harder for you to fight off infections, including those developed in the gums. Plus, smoking reduces your ability to heal.

4. Brush At Least Twice a Day

By brushing twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, you remove the food and plaque that gets trapped between your teeth and gums. By scrubbing this away, you’re less likely to develop caked on tartar, making those professional cleanings a lot easier.

Scrub your tongue, budget for an electric toothbrush, and replace the bristles every 3 months or so.

5. Purchase Fluoride Toothpaste

If you’re unsure of which toothpaste to buy, choose one with fluoride in it. This will make your teeth more resistant to decay.

6. Purchase Mouthwash & Use Daily

While using mouthwash is not a substitute for daily brushing and flossing, it can help reduce gum disease and combat conditions like bad breath, receding gums, plaque buildup, and gingivitis. 

It is recommended that mouthwash is used once a day for at least 1-2 minutes.

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while or need to schedule a teeth cleaning appointment contact us or give us a call at (813) 333-1922.

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