Oral health isn’t just about keeping your teeth clean. Your gums are quite literally the foundation for healthy teeth! Here are a few simple ways to keep your gums healthy and strong.
- Floss Every Day
- Brush Gently for Two Minutes Twice a Day
- Schedule Routine Dental Visits
- Consume a Balanced Diet
- Avoid Smoking & Tobacco Products
While brushing your teeth keeps plaque and food particles off of the surface of your teeth, flossing cleans out those hard-to-reach spaces between your teeth and under your gums. Flossing every day will help prevent inflammation, bleeding, and pain, which are telltale signs of early-stage gum disease.
You don’t need to saw aggressively back and forth with your toothbrush to reap the benefits of brushing your teeth! Brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush in small, gentle circles for two minutes each time will clean your teeth and gums without irritation. If you struggle with applying too much pressure or brushing long enough, consider investing in an electric toothbrush, which does much of the “work” for you.
Visit Grafton Dental Care at least every 6 months for professional dental cleanings and checkups. Your hygienist will scrape away any built up plaque, tartar (hardened plaque), and stains. We’ll also check your mouth for signs of decay, infection, and oral cancer.
Bacteria feast upon your dietary sugar and produce acidic byproducts that wear away your enamel, the outer protective layer of teeth. Limit your consumption of sweets, soda, and simple carbohydrates to reduce your risk of decay and cavities. A diet rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals is essential to having healthy teeth and gums. Additionally, drink plenty of water.
Tobacco suppresses the immune system and can increase your risk of bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. If you currently smoke or use tobacco, do your best to quit as soon as possible for the sake of your oral health and your overall health!
Healthy gums are pink and pain-free. If your gums are tender, swollen, receding, and/or prone to bleeding, please schedule an appointment with our team at Grafton Dental Care for a consultation. We offer advanced techniques to treat gum disease and receding gums. We’ll work together to get your gum health back on track. Contact us today!
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