Your gums are a vital part of your mouth, just like your teeth. Taking care of them will result in a lifetime of an overall healthy mouth because the care that you give to them applies to your teeth as well. Here are some general tips to help you get on track!
Smoking is bad for your lungs but also horrible for your oral health! People who smoke are 5-10x more at risk for gum disease than non-smokers. This is due to the chemicals found in tobacco changing the cells within your gums. If you are currently smoking, there are loads of helpful outlets to aid in quitting.
Along with avoiding smoking, brushing your teeth once in the morning and once at night is the most helpful way to keep a set of healthy gums. Brushing removes food and plaque lodged between your teeth and gums- allowing these to sit can result in gum disease. In addition, brushing with ADA fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes at a time will keep your gums and teeth healthy!
Many people opt to skip flossing, but the ADA recommends doing it once per day! Flossing is essential for oral health because toothbrushes cannot get all of the plaque and food sitting between your teeth and gums. Any amount of plaque can potentially develop into tartar if left to sit, thus getting everything out of your mouth is important! You can floss at any time of the day, but consider that flossing before bed after you have brushed leaves you with 8 hours of a guaranteed clean mouth.
If you would like to check on your oral health, give us a call and book an appointment. We are here to help everyone maintain positive oral health!
