While you might associate your oral health and dental visits with your teeth, keeping your gums healthy is just as important, and in some cases, more important than your teeth. With so much attention going towards whitening and straightening one's teeth these days, the importance of routine gum care can be overlooked. Here are four tips to keep your gums healthy in the long run.
1. Flossing is as Important as Brushing
While most know the importance of brushing in the morning, evening, and after meals, some might see flossing as an afterthought. The thing is flossing is really what will strengthen your gums, keep gums healthy, and help you avoid receding gumline issues over time. Heed your dentist's advice and do your best to floss daily to keep your gums as healthy as the rest of your teeth.
2. Diet Can Factor into Gum Health
While you might think that keeping up with brushing and flossing is enough to reverse the damages of a poor diet, choices such as sweets and chewing gum actually have negative effects on your gums. Poor food choices can cause gum irritation and foster hideouts for germs to do damage over time. On the other hand, calcium-rich foods not only help with teeth and bones, but with muscles, blood vessels, and nerves, which can help keep gums healthy and help you avoid gum disease.
3. Lifestyle Choices Can Cause Damage
There might be other things you are doing in your everyday life that can damage your gums inadvertently. Sometimes brushing or flossing too hard can cut gums or cause gums to recede faster than they should. Smoking can be bad for one's oval oral health and can lead to gum disease over time. Grinding teeth at night can also damage gums and cause them to recede from tooth decay nerve damage to your roots.
4. Don't Put off Visiting the Dentist
While you might feel as if you are doing everything right with your oral care regimen, there are still things your dentist might catch during regular checkups. Dental services are designed to ensure your dental routine is working and to point out any issues you might have that will need further care. They can also point out if day-to-day choices might be specifically affecting your gums.
While you might be focusing on your oral healthcare routine overall, keeping your gums in check is an important part of the process. Be sure to ask your dentist for tips to keep your gums healthy for years to come. Getting started today on gum health will keep your smile healthy and your gums free from issues down the line.
For more information, contact local professionals like Family 1st Dental.
Share30 September 2016
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.