Oral Health: 10 Tips to Keep Your Gums Healthy

Dental health is as important as healthy eating and physical exercise. Yet, one in five Americans never see the dentist or only visit their dentist when they have to. Additionally, more than four in 10 adults suffer from gum disease. Even more worryingly, 8% of patients with periodontitis have severe cases. This shows how important dental health is.

Here are ten tips to keep your gum healthy.

Brush Your Teeth At Least Twice Each Day

Brushing your teeth more than twice per day is the best way to prevent teeth and gum diseases. It is advisable to brush your teeth in the morning and before you retire to bed in the evening using fluoride toothpaste.

What is more, you should only use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent injury. When brushing, ensure that the brush is placed at a 45-degree angle to the gums. Moreover, brush each tooth back and forth and away from the gums.

Avoid grinding the brush into the teeth to minimize injury. Also, remember to brush hard-to-reach spots and the back teeth. Nowadays, people with mobility challenges can use an electric toothbrush to clean their teeth and gum. Regardless of the brush, you are using, always replace it after every three months.

Flossing Daily

Flossing is an essential dental technique but will remove food particles stuck in your teeth. Flossing every day will keep harmful bacteria away to prevent gum disease. Keep the following in mind when flossing:

• Only use floss that is the size of your elbow from the wrist.
• Tie the floss on the longest finger on both hands.
• Move it along the edges of each tooth to remove stuck food particles.
• Always make sure to floss below the gum line.
• Finally, don’t forget to floss hard-to-reach spots and your back teeth.

Use Mouthwash

Rinsing your mouth carefully with mouthwash daily can also keep your gum and teeth healthy. Mouthwash eliminates plaque and tartar to keep cavities away. However, it would be best if you only used mouthwash after brushing or flossing.

Quit Smoking

Cigar, cigarettes, and pipe smoke attack the living tissues in your mouth and tongue, putting you at risk of severe health conditions and gum diseases. It is the leading cause of bad breath, tartar, discolored teeth, periodontal disease, jaw bone loss, shifting teeth, cavities, missing teeth, and even oral cancer.

Embrace Healthy Eating Habits

Like the rest of your body, your gums and teeth also need nutrients to fight bacteria and dental diseases. Therefore, embracing healthy eating habits will go a long way towards helping you to protect your gums and teeth from diseases. Eating a diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and dairy products is good for your teeth and body.

Moreover, avoid carbonated drinks, alcohol, and acidic drinks.

Avoid Hard Objects

Chewing on pens, wood pieces, toys, and metallic objects can damage your teeth and gums. Also, avoid hard candies and opening bottles with your teeth.

Use a Mouth Guard During Physical Activities

Whether you are playing sports or any other physical activity, it is always wise to wear a mouthguard. It will keep your teeth and gums safe in case of an accidental fall or negligent bump by another player.

Fight Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding can cause sore jaws, enamel loss, and headaches. If you suspect that you grind your teeth during your sleep, it would be best to visit the best dentist near you.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking adequate water can also help to keep your teeth and gums healthy. This is because you will produce enough saliva to fight bacteria. On the other hand, you will produce less saliva if you fail to drink enough water. Moreover, water can wash away food particles and rinse your teeth.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Visiting your dentist’s office can help prevent teeth and gum diseases. Your dentist will inspect your teeth and check your past medical issues and family history to keep you safe from gum diseases.

It is advisable to see your dentist at least once every six months for a checkup and routine cleaning.

Final Thoughts

These tips will go a long way towards helping you to keep your teeth and gums safe from cavities, tartar buildup, periodontal diseases, and teeth loss.