Most of us do not think very much about our gums, but they are, of course, a really important part of the body that we should make a real effort to look after, especially as we get older.
Healthy gums support healthy teeth, so if you do not want to end up with tooth decay or tooth loss, you need to not only ensure your teeth are well cared for, but that your gums are too.
Yes, these days, dental treatments have come a long way and things like dental implants can improve your smile when things go wrong, but if you do not have a base of strong healthy gums, many cosmetic dental treatments are simply not possible.
That being the case, let’s look at some of the most important ways you can take good care of your gums right now.
Take Good Care Of Your Teeth And Brush Properly
Your teeth and your gums are, of course, strongly linked, so taking care of one means taking care of the other. That is why the most important thing you can do for your gum health is to religiously brush your teeth twice daily.
When doing this, it is important that you use a soft-bristled brush that will not be too abrasive to the gum area; brushes that are too hard can cause receding gums to concur.
You should also use short soft strokes when brushing and apply only a slight amount of pressure if you want to avoid injuring the gums and causing them to recede.
Floss Regularly
Your gums will also be much healthier if you take the time to floss daily too. Flossing helps to remove particles of food that have been trapped between the teeth and gums, where if not removed, they can cause decay to set in and gum disease to take hold if enough tartar builds up.
Use Fluoride Toothpaste
These days, there is a huge amount of choice in the toothpaste department, but if you want to do the absolute best for your gums, then you should choose a toothpaste that contains fluoride as this will help to protect against tooth decay which can cause decay and infection in the gums too.
Don’t Rinse After Brushing
Many of us think that we should rinse our mouth out with water after brushing, but this is actually a bad idea as it rinses off much of the protection the fluoride in our toothpaste products provides for our teeth and gums. You should simply, then, spit out any excess toothpaste, but otherwise, leave your mouth unrinsed.
Conversely, it is a really good idea to rinse your mouth out with water after eating a meal as this will help to get rid of any food particulates that could cause tartar to build up and affect the health of your gums.
Give Up Smoking
If you are someone who smokes, then you will undoubtedly be aware of many of the health risks that come with your habit from heart disease to lung cancer, but did you know that smoking can also be really bad for the gums?
The act of smoking is known to weaken the immune system and when the immune system is weak, you are more likely to get gum disease. You can mitigate against this to some extent by doing all of the above, but the chemicals in cigarettes are also bad for your teeth and it is harder to look after them when you smoke regularly, so giving up really is one of the best things you can do for your gum health.
Watch What You Eat
What you eat and drink can have a huge impact on your gum health, Things like carbonated drinks, sugary snacks and alcohol can dry out the mouth, cause tooth decay and ultimately lead to gum disease, whereas foods like leafy greens, and high fiber fruit and veg can actually help to clean the mouth and protect your gums.
See The Dentist
Regular trips to the dentist are vital if you want to look after your gum health as regular cleanings will help to keep gum disease at bay, and early diagnosis of any gum disorders will lead to more effective treatment options.
Taking care of your gums, as you can see, is not too difficult, and will help to ensure that your smile still dazzles 20 years from now, so whatever else you do, be sure to take good care of your gums each day.
