Periodontal care is an essential part of your health care routine. Gums support your teeth; thus, by taking care of your gums, you can avoid a variety of severe dental health issues, such as tooth loss. But how do you keep your gums healthy? Keep reading to discover essential gum care tips.
How to Keep Your Gums Healthy
Some people might be more susceptible to gum disease due to their genetics or other general health-related issues. However, several rules will be helpful for everyone when it comes to maintaining and improving your gums’ health.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene at Home
Efficient and thorough oral hygiene is one of the most essential points in keeping your gums healthy. Most infections in the mouth, including gum disease, are caused by bacteria that leave food residue and plaque on the teeth. Bacteria destroy the enamel of the teeth and gum tissue over time. Thus, the most essential goal is to make sure you effectively remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth during your daily at-home oral hygiene routine. We recommend you follow these tips:
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for two full minutes. Fluoride is effective in strengthening the teeth and fighting off bacteria in the mouth.
- When brushing your teeth, pay attention to cleaning along the gum line. Choose a toothbrush that will not irritate your gums when brushing.
- Floss thoroughly every evening, making sure not to lacerate the gums with dental floss thread.
- Use a water flosser in addition to brushing and flossing. It is a useful tool for preventing gum disease. Most dentists recommend that you begin your routine with a water flosser and then move on to brushing and flossing.
Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year
You should prioritize regular visits to your dentist if you want to maintain the health of your gums. These visits will include a professional dental cleaning that is more thorough than what you would be able to achieve at home. During a professional dental cleaning, your doctor will be able to remove all the plaque and tartar that accumulate on your teeth over time.
Regular dental checkups will give your care provider the opportunity to check the health of your teeth and spot any potential complications before they become severe. You can also opt for undergoing a professional fluoride treatment after dental cleaning to boost your oral health even more.
Abstain from Smoking and Sugary Foods
Smoking is one of the leading causes of compromised gum health. Thus, by abstaining from this habit, you can significantly reduce the risk of gum disease.
Sugar that you consume with food and beverages facilitates the growth of bacteria in the mouth. More bacteria in the mouth means that more damage can be done to your teeth and gums.
The Importance of Gum Health
Gum disease, which can also be referred to as periodontal disease, is a chronic infection of the gum tissue that can result in negative consequences such as:
- Painful and swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Bad breath and bad taste in the mouth
- Compromised stability of teeth
- Tooth loss
- Jaw bone deterioration
The main danger of gum disease is tooth loss. Tooth loss can occur if gum disease is advanced and not treated in time. Specifically, gum tissue and the underlying jawbone affected by gum disease become unable to support teeth, leading to them becoming unstable and eventually falling out. Thus, taking care of your gum health can eliminate the risk of severe dental health issues and the need for pricey and complicated treatment, such as lost teeth replacement.
Gum Disease Treatment Methods
We recommend making an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Red, irritated, or swollen gums
- Frequent gum bleeding when brushing and flossing
- Persistent bad breath or unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Pus oozing from the gums
- Cysts or pimples on the gums
- Pain in the gums when chewing food
- Teeth that become unstable in their sockets
- Changes in how your teeth fit together
Addressing gum disease in its early stages can make the treatment much more effective. Several methods can be employed individually or in combination when treating gum disease:
- Gum and bone grafting
- Surgical reduction of periodontal pockets
- Scaling and root planing
- Guided gum tissue regeneration
- Laser therapy
- Antibiotics
Make an Appointment Today
Make an appointment with a leading periodontist today to boost the health of your gums. In our dental office, we offer a variety of periodontal care methods to prevent and treat gum disease. Our specialists look forward to your visit.
