When it comes to your oral health, your teeth are often the biggest star. But what’s sealing them is just as important.
Healthy gums help prevent infection. Gum disease can present as a range of serious health issues in the mouth and even the heart, so learning how to strengthen your gums can make a big difference.
Follow these 5 suggestions to help your gums thrive for years to come.
1. Kick Smoking
Easier said than done, but losing your smoking habit can make your gums a lot happier.
Your immune system is negatively impacted by cigarettes, and that makes it more difficult for your body to fight off a gum infection. If you damage your gums, then it will also take longer for them to heal when you’re a smoker.
2. Brush Your Gum Line
When people brush their teeth, they often focus on the “showy” part of the tooth. However, a lot of bacteria can hang out where your teeth meet your gums, so the toothbrush must reach these spots.
That means you should brush one or two millimeters right under your gum line. Try using a 45-degree angle of the brush when you’re brushing up against your gums. Try starting with that first and working your way down to the rest of the tooth so you make it a healthy habit.
Kids often miss key spots like the gums when they’re brushing, but a Saginaw pediatric dentist can help educate them.
3. Just Floss
While some people may not think flossing is a big deal, your gums beg to differ. A lot of food debris can get stuck between your teeth and affect your gum health.
The resulting bacteria can make your gums feel irritated, and raise your chance for developing gum disease. You can choose to floss once a day or more often, like after every meal.
4. Use an Effective Mouthwash
Many people forego mouthwash because it’s either too harsh from alcohol or they don’t think they need to. However, therapeutic mouthwashes – being those that have active ingredients to kill bacteria – are beneficial to your gum’s health.
Look for an ADA seal on the product to be sure it’s both effective and safe. There are now low- or zero-alcohol mouthwashes if that’s what’s deterring you.
A rinse can help dislodge food stuck to your teeth and gums, and it can also help slow or prevent the onset of gingivitis (early gum disease.) These rinses do not replace brushing or flossing, but rather complement them.
5. Visit The Dentist Regularly
You can follow all the previous tips, but you should still see your dentist every 6 months or so. That’s because your dentist can spot potential problems with your gums and take corrective measures to strengthen them.
Tartar is hardened plaque that can lead to a receding gum line and gum disease, and only a dentist with the right tools and knowledge can effectively remove it.
Learn How To Strengthen Your Gums
When it comes to your oral health routine, your gums definitely shouldn’t be ignored. Following this advice and seeing your dentist regularly is how to strengthen your gums for life.
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