Maintaining healthy gums is essential to overall oral health. Gums that are not healthy can lead to several problems, including tooth decay and even loss of teeth. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to keep your gums healthy and protect your smile. This blog will discuss six ways to maintain gum health. So, let’s get started!
1. Practice Good Oral Hygiene
The first and most important step in keeping your gums healthy is to practise good oral hygiene. This includes brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and using mouthwash. Here are some oral hygiene guidelines:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently in a circular motion.
- Be sure to brush all surfaces of your teeth, including the front, back, and top.
- Use fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss at least once a day, using gentle movements.
- Use mouthwash to rinse away any remaining bacteria.
No matter how good your oral hygiene habits are, it would be best if you visited the dentist regularly for cleanings and checkups. During these appointments, your dentist will remove any plaque or tartar buildup on your teeth and gums.
2. Eat a Healthy Diet
Your diet plays a significant role in your gum health. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients helps keep your gums healthy and strong. You should focus on eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. To help keep your gums healthy, avoid sugary and acidic foods and tobacco products.
Did you know that some foods can actually help fight gum disease? Yes, it’s true! Foods such as yogurt, cheese, and green tea contain probiotics that help fight harmful bacteria in the mouth. So, be sure to include these foods in your diet!
3. Quit Smoking
Smoking is not only bad for your overall health but also terrible for your gums. Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of gum disease. So, quitting is essential to maintaining healthy gums if you smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products. If you’re unsure how to quit, talk to your doctor or dentist. They can help you find the resources you need to successfully kick the habit for good.
Also, avoid secondhand smoke as much as possible. Secondhand smoke is just as harmful to your gum health as smoking tobacco products yourself. To protect your gum health, avoid being around people who are smoking.
4. Use Mouthguards
If you participate in any sports or other activities that put you at risk for mouth injuries, it’s important to wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard helps protect your teeth and gums from impact and injury. If you don’t wear a mouthguard and you suffer an injury to your mouth, it could damage your gums and lead to gum disease. So, be sure to wear a mouthguard when participating in any activities that could cause mouth injuries.
You can also wear a mouthguard at night to protect your teeth and gums from grinding. Grinding your teeth at night can damage your gum tissue and lead to gum disease. Wearing a mouthguard at night can help prevent this damage and keep your gums healthy.
5. Manage Your Stress Levels
Did you know that stress can actually cause gum disease? It’s true! When you’re stressed, your body produces hormones that can make your gums more sensitive and prone to inflammation. This increased inflammation can lead to gum disease. So, managing your stress levels to maintain healthy gums is important.
You can do several things to manage your stress and keep your gums healthy. Exercise, deep breathing, and meditation are all great stress relievers. You can also try to avoid stressful situations as much as possible. If you find yourself in a stressful situation, take a few deep breaths and try to relax.
6. Keep Your Gums Clean
It’s important to keep your gums clean to prevent gum disease. Plaque is a bacterial film that forms on your teeth and gums. Plaque can harden into tartar if it is not removed. Tartar is more difficult to remove and can cause gum inflammation, bleeding, and swelling. That’s why removing plaque from your teeth and gums every day is important.
Along with brushing and flossing, you can use a mouthwash to help remove plaque from your gums. Look for a mouthwash that contains fluoride and antibacterial properties to help fight gum disease.
Keeping your gums healthy is important for your overall health. Be sure to follow these tips to keep your gums free from disease. So, what are you waiting for? Start taking care of your gums today!
