More than 47% of adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease. Left untreated, it can lead to receding gums, abscesses, and even tooth loss.
Fortunately, it’s completely preventable with good oral health habits and that includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day.
Are you trying to improve your gum health? Looking for some tips on what to do?
Because that’s exactly what we’ll be going over in this post. Keep reading to learn more about how to maintain healthy gums!
1. Brush Your Teeth Properly
The way you brush your teeth matters. Assuming that you’re using a manual toothbrush, you want to hold it at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line. Use small circular motions and make sure to clean every surface of every tooth, including the inner surfaces.
And remember to be gentle. You don’t want to scrub as that can cause damage to the delicate gum tissue. For example, it can cause them to recede and that can lead to pain and sensitivity issues.
Tip: Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush—they’re much gentler on your teeth and gums.
2. Floss Regularly
Flossing is essential when it comes to your gum health routine; it’ll help remove plaque from between your teeth, which will help protect against gingivitis. Not only that, but it’ll also strengthen your gums over time.
Start by breaking off a piece of dental floss (about 18 to 24 inches). Wrap it around your index and middle fingers and slide it between your teeth so that it forms a “C” shape. Gently move it up and down against the tooth and around the gumline.
If you want, you can also use a water flosser. A handheld device, it’ll allow you to remove food from between your teeth and gums with streams of water.
3. Go For Regular Checkups
As a general rule, you want to go for a dental cleaning once every six months. Your dentist will be able to check for signs of cavities and gum disease and if there are any issues, they’ll be able to treat them before they become worse.
For those who don’t have a dentist, you can ask your friends and family for recommendations or search online. Most dentists, such as Dr. Stuart Feurstein, have a website where you can read more about their clinic. For example, here’s a list of services this dentist offers. You can call the clinic as well if you have any questions.
Improving Your Gum Health With Proper Oral Care
There are several things that you can do to improve your gum health—from using the right brushing technique to going for regular checkups. Remember, it’s always easier to prevent problems than it is to treat them!
If you liked this post, you’ll be happy to know that we have more health-related guides like this in our lifestyle section. Check it out today!
