Good oral hygiene involves more than brushing 2-3 times daily and rinsing with mouthwash. It extends to taking care of your gum to prevent gingivitis, gum disease, and other dental problems associated with unhealthy gums. Routinely omitting to clean the gum may lead to a bacterial infection. Gum infection is the cause of gingivitis, periodontitis, and dental abscess. Damaged jawbone structure, loose tooth, and loss of teeth can be the end result of untreated gum infection. But this does not have to happen to you. There are steps you can take to promote healthy gum and maintain your beautiful smile, including seeing your dentist at North View Dental.
Signs of Unhealthy Gums
- Red, swollen, or puffy gum (inflammation)
- Bleeding gum while brushing or flossing
- Severe bad breath
- Receding gum
- Loose teeth
- Pain in the gum or while chewing
- Gum pulled away from the tooth exposing the periodontal pockets
4 Tips for Keeping Your Gums Healthy
It takes only a few quick minutes per day to clean your gum, and these 4 tips on how to keep your gums healthy can make a big difference!
Use a fluoride toothpaste
It is not enough to brush your teeth at least twice daily even if you use a fancy automatic or electric toothbrush. What matters is using the right toothpaste and brushing technique to get between the teeth and under the gumline. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft bristle brush for the best daily care of teeth and gum. Brush for about 2 minutes dedicating 30 seconds each to the two upper and lower quadrants of the mouth.
Floss every day
Flossing is often neglected by many people even those who brush regularly. However, flossing is vital for combatting gum infection and should be done once daily. It helps remove plaque and food particles trapped between the teeth and difficult to remove by brushing. People with close or crowded teeth easily get plaque and tartar buildup between the teeth and at the gumline. Plaque and tartar contain acid and bacteria that cause gum infection or disease that can eat away the bone structure surrounding the teeth and cause loose tooth.
Get regular dental checkups
Once tartar builds up on or between the teeth, it can only be removed with professional cleaning by your dentist. The ADA recommends that children and adults see their dentist at least twice a year for routine examinations and cleanings. Keeping your checkup appointments will help your dentist spot tooth decay or inflammation, infection, disease, or abscess of the gum or tooth pulp. If necessary, your doctor may treat the bacterial infection with antibiotics.
Book your appointment today
Maintaining healthy gum goes beyond regular brushing and swishing with a fluoride mouthwash. Diligent flossing, routine dental checkups, and avoiding lifestyle habits that promote unhealthily gum make up a robust plan to prevent gum infection and disease. If you notice any of the signs of unhealthy gums, you should call to set up an appointment to see your dentist at North View Dental, in Ogden, UT. We provide professional dental services in a hygienic environment to meet the dental needs of our clients. Ask your dentist for additional tips on how to keep your gums healthy.
