How To Care For Your Gums

It’s all too easy to forget to take good care of your gums until you start to experience gum problems. Red, painful gums are no fun and gum disease can be irreversible. Fortunately, taking care of your gums is simple, and it’s easy to add good gum care habits to your daily routine. Here’s how you can keep your gums healthy for the long haul.

Brush your teeth twice a day

You already know that you should be brushing your teeth at minimum twice a day to prevent cavities and keep a clean mouth, but your gums are another reason to take brushing more seriously. In addition to protecting your teeth, brushing your teeth removes layers of plaque from the gumline and stimulates the area to prevent disease.

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and apply gentle pressure

You might feel like your teeth get cleaner the harder you scrub them. However, you don’t need to exert much pressure to get your teeth and gums squeaky clean. A toothbrush with hard bristles can wear down and irritate your gums causing them to recede. Once your gums start to withdrawal, there’s no way to move them back. A good rule of thumb: if you’re scrubbing hard enough to bend the bristles of your toothbrush, you’re brushing too hard.

Floss on a daily basis

There’s a lot of gum surface that your toothbrush can’t reach. If food gets stuck between your teeth, it can irritate your gums and begin the initial stages of gum disease (in addition to tooth decay and cavities). Floss every day to prevent this from happening.

Avoid smoking

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your gums, as well as your oral health in general. If you smoke, work on quitting as soon as possible. If you don’t smoke, stay away from the habit.

Visit your dentist for regular cleanings

Even if your teeth and gums seem healthy, it’s essential that you visit your dentist once every six months for a professional cleaning. A dentist or hygienist can take care of the tartar that you can’t remove at home, and they can spot the signs of gum disease to help -reverse the problem before it reaches an advanced stage.

Contact Fairfield Dental Arts today for your appointment. We are happy to take a look at your gums and give recommendations for easy care!