What You Can Do to Make Gums Healthier
posted: Dec. 10, 2014.
Keeping your gums healthy is important if you want to keep your teeth as well! The best defense against gum disease is to take care of your oral health. TLC Family Dentistry supports practicing careful dental hygiene, and has the following tips to offer for keeping your gums healthy and your smile bright:
Basic Oral Care
-
Brushing - Properly brushing your teeth with a soft bristle brush at least twice a day is the best place to
start for a happy mouth. Make sure to brush for at least two minutes each time. While many people assume that pressing harder with the brush on their teeth is better, you actually want to be sure not to apply too much pressure when brushing. Use a small circular motion so the brush can touch the teeth and gums at different angles. - Flossing - This will remove food particles from between the teeth. These particles become food for bacteria allowing them to grow and multiply. Make sure to floss at least once a day, but preferably, you should floss every time you brush your teeth. Choose a floss in a flavor you like to encourage yourself to take care of this important part of your daily oral hygiene routine.
- Rinsing - Antibacterial mouth rinses are great for reducing the amount of bacteria between the teeth and around the gums. There are many brands to choose from, but again, try to pick a mouthwash in a flavor you like and at an intensity you feel comfortable with.
Check ups - Regular checkups are recommended. When you come to the office for your routine cleaning, we will remove excess tartar buildup. We will also check the health of your gums, and look for any signs of gum disease. If we do find gum inflammation or disease, getting it quickly detected at a checkup gives you a better overall treatment outlook, and a much higher chance of dealing with the disease without lasting damage to your gums.
Keeping your gums healthy is a major concern at our Lee’s Summit dental office. We want you to keep your teeth for a lifetime, and that starts with the gums. If you are concerned about the health of your teeth and gums give our Lee’s Summit dental office a call at (816) 537-6161!