5 Ways to Improve Your Gums During National Gum Care Month
It’s another year and gum care month is here with us! We purposely set aside this month to focus on an essential component of your oral health – your gums. Gums usually play second fiddle to teeth, and people often overlook their importance. Being cavalier has often led to people developing gum disease, a severe oral disease affecting the gums and jawbone. That’s why dentist in Seattle recommends that you take care of your gums daily.
It is essential that you take periodontal disease seriously because it can lead to tooth and bone loss and is linked to general health issues such as diabetes, low birth weight, heart disease, etc.
So, to help you stay on the front foot, our dentist has come up with some helpful tips that will keep your gums healthy. Here they are:
1.Pay Attention to Your Gums
Your gums might not be at the top of your daily checklist as you brush your teeth. Rarely do people glance at their gums in the mirror each day to check if they are okay. It’s okay not to do it every other day, but you may need to inspect them periodically to stay aware of any issues or changes.
Gum disease is a bit sneaky, so you might notice it when it has advanced, which is quite difficult to treat.
So, peel your eyes for the following:
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- Bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth
- Pockets or gaps between the gums and the teeth
- A persistent bad taste in your mouth
- Persistent bad breath
- An uncomfortable bite or a change in how your teeth fit
- Teeth that appear longer (gum recession)
- Swollen, puffy, or tender gums
- Any sign of infection on the gums such as pain, pus, or tenderness
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Once these signs appear, ensure that you seek gum disease treatment near you.
2. Brush Correctly Twice Each Day
You must know by now that you must clean your teeth daily to ensure that plaque and tartar are kept at bay. This is also true about your gums. Brushing every day is essential since it is the primary defense against plaque, which causes tooth decay and gum disease.
However, it isn’t enough just to brush your teeth; you will need to employ the proper technique. Often, patients may get shocked that they clean their teeth every day and still develop gum disease. When you use the wrong technique, it is highly unlikely that you might remove all the dirt from your teeth and gums.
So, always angle your brush at 45 degrees towards the gum line. Then, brush in quick, short, circular motions to remove the food debris along the gum line.
Also, you might not know this, but you have to brush your teeth for about two minutes or more. Moreover, it won’t hurt if you use fluoridated toothpaste.
Lastly, be gentle since vigorous movements irritate your gums and sometimes cause gum recession.
3. Floss Each Day
Flossing complements brushing. To keep your gums healthy, floss at least once daily to remove food debris and plaque lodged in the hard-to-reach areas. Even after thoroughly brushing your teeth, you still need to floss to ensure that bacteria have no food debris that will attract them. Floss daily, be it in the morning, midday, or before you get in bed.
4. Eat Nutritious Meals
A healthy balanced diet will benefit every part of your body, including your teeth and gums. That means you have to take meals rich in nutrients and vitamins and low in sugar. These foods will help boost your immune system and fight harmful bacteria, infection and inflammation. Eat more greens if you want to keep your gums healthy and your teeth white!
5. Regularly Visit Our Dentist
Once you get a handle on the above self-care habits, you can decide to boost your efforts by regularly visiting our dentist. If you visit us twice or thrice each year, you will benefit from the various services such as periodontal treatment, preventive care, etc., we offer that are helpful to your oral health.
Take advantage of the dental exams that will help you know the state of your gum and tooth health.
So, contact us today at 3rd & Columbia Dental to schedule an appointment.