Denture Repair: Home Remedies and More

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what about the periodontist? After all, it's just as important to focus on your gums as any other aspect of your health, and simply expecting them to take care of themselves is not enough. Here are a couple of things you can do to keep your gums and your dentist or periodontic specialist happy.

Brush Twice Daily

Brushing is not just for the good of your teeth. Keeping your whole mouth clean, particularly where your gums meet your teeth, is crucial for maintaining good gum health. Otherwise, food scraps and debris can work their way underneath your gums, loosening the gums and leading to conditions like gingivitis. As such, paying special attention to the gum line when you brush is a simple way of keeping your smile safe — and if it's just another part of your regular brushing routine, you barely need to think about it.

Be Gentle

While keeping up with that frequent brushing is important, it's just as vital not to overbrush or use too much pressure on your gums. Gums are prone to swelling, and this can actually do a lot more harm than good. If you notice your gums are sensitive after brushing or if you notice any swelling, consider going a little easier on the gum line next time. If you're unsure, your periodontist or dentist can advise you about whether they see signs of overbrushing in your mouth and let you know whether you should ease off.

Quit Smoking, Or Don't Start

Of course, there are numerous health benefits associated with smoking cigarettes, and smoking is also known to stain your teeth — but did you know it also masks the symptoms of gum disease? Smokers' gums are firm and do not bleed often even when they are suffering from gum disease. This can lead to serious delays in identifying the issue and could mean that the disease has a chance to worsen before it can be caught and treated. Additionally, smokers have more harmful bacteria in their mouths than non-smokers, and this increases their likelihood of developing the disease in the first place.

Along with these tips, you can also improve gum health by following general advice for good dental health, such as reducing sugars in your diet and using dentist-approved fluoride toothpaste. As long as you're thinking about your gum health and taking steps to stay healthy, your periodontics specialist will be thrilled, and your smile will be, too.