For healthy teeth, you need healthy gums. Gum care requires specific steps beyond just brushing your teeth, though. With the five tips below, you can avoid gum disease—otherwise called periodontitis—by giving your gums the care they deserve.
West Bell Dental Care provides a wide variety of oral health treatments and services. Offerings include multiple types of dentistry: preventative, general, restorative, and cosmetic. The dentists at Web Bell Dental Care see patients as teammates and work together to help them achieve the best oral health possible. Patient safety and comfort are always priorities. These dentists know that trips to the dentist can be intimidating, so they do their best to turn the experience into one that will leave their patients smiling. Last but not least, they offer some of the most affordable dental care in Surprise.
1. Floss
Everybody knows flossing is vital, but that doesn’t mean everyone acts on that knowledge. Flossing is one of the top ways to preserve, or even sometimes restore, gum health. Do it at least once daily to remove bits of food and plaque that your toothbrush would miss on its own. Unlike tooth brushing, it doesn’t matter which time of day you choose to floss—morning, afternoon, and night are all equally good!
If you struggle to floss, here’s a bit of advice that some people find helpful: Tell yourself you’ll just floss one tooth. Starting is the hardest part, so once you floss a little, you’ll probably feel motivated to continue.
2. Schedule Regular Cleanings
Many people head to the dentist only once a problem already exists. However, prevention is always best! Regular cleanings are a great way to prevent more significant issues down the road, including gum disease. If you see your dentist often, they’ll recognize any symptoms that indicate gum trouble might be brewing, and they can take action with periodontal therapy to get your gums back on the right track. Here are just a few early symptoms dentists look for:
• Swollen gums
• Gum tenderness
• Bad breath
• Gums that easily bleed when brushing or flossing
• Discolored or darkened gums
• Receding gums
Additionally, only professional-level cleanings are sufficient to get rid of tartar. As far as plaque goes, you can remove a lot on your own, but you will probably still miss some with your floss and toothbrush. Great dental health care in Surprise can rid you of that problem.
3. Stop Smoking
Smoking is terrible for your teeth, not just your lungs. Study after study has shown that smoking strongly correlates with gum disease. It seems to contribute to earlier onset than average, too. Cigarettes do a number on your immune system, reducing your body’s ability to fight infections—including gum infections. They also dry out your mouth, which creates an environment conducive to cavities. Smoking even reduces your body’s ability to heal. There’s a reason many people who need surgery receive instructions to quit smoking! If smoking has already damaged your gums, quitting is especially important.
4. Brush Two Times a Day
Oral health requires consistent care every day—multiple times a day! Brush your teeth after every meal to remove any food and plaque stuck between your teeth. Think carefully about when to brush after your meals, though. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you eat anything acidic, you might want to wait half an hour after your meal to avoid your toothbrush’s bristles rubbing acid into your enamel and damaging it.
But which toothbrush should you use? Most dentists recommend electric options. They’re often gentler on the teeth despite providing a more thorough cleaning, so they can better protect your gums. Brushing too vigorously with manual toothbrushes (especially ones with stiff bristles) can even cause gum damage, which is terrible for someone who’s just trying to protect their teeth! Make sure to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months at a minimum, though you should do so earlier if the bristles are fraying.
5. Use the Right Toothpaste and Mouthwash
You’ve probably seen those commercials that claim most dentists recommend a particular brand. In reality, it doesn’t matter which brand you choose as long as it has the ADA seal of acceptance and contains fluoride. The ADA seal guarantees that experts have assessed the toothpaste for quality and effectiveness; fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and positively affects gums.
As for mouthwash, the quality can vary widely, partially because your choice will depend on your goals. So what kind should you get? Therapeutic mouthwash is best for gum health. In contrast with cosmetic mouthwashes, which deal with bad breath for short periods, therapeutic washes contain active ingredients that prevent tooth decay, fight plaque, and foster gum health. As a bonus, any mouthwash (even cosmetic options) can help rinse large food particles away. Like with toothpaste, you should also look for an ADA seal on your mouthwash.
Schedule Your Appointment With a Family Dentist in Surprise
Follow the above advice to foster excellent oral health for decades to come. If you’re still unsure about any aspect of gum care—or if you’ve noticed concerning symptoms in your gums—you can contact the West Bell Dental Care team to seek more advice and set up an appointment. The dental experts there are always happy to educate patients, and they’ll consider your unique circumstances while advising you about your behavioral choices and recommending possible treatments. Make an appointment with the best dentist in Surprise today!