Learn How You Can Improve the Health of Your Gums

The health of your gums can affect the health of every part of your body. When your gums are inflamed, inflammation can occur anywhere. Not caring for your gums can lead to serious issues like losing your teeth and the need for gum surgery. The good news is that there are ways to improve the health of your gums, even if you have let them get out of hand. Keep reading to learn more.

Flossing

Many people think of flossing as an “extra” step in their home oral health care routine. The truth is that it is just as important as brushing your teeth. No matter how often or how well you brush your teeth, you cannot get between your teeth. You cannot get to your gums. Flossing is the easiest and best way to do this. It gets into areas of your mouth that you cannot get to with brushing alone, and flossing helps get rid of bacteria on the gum line. If this bacteria is not dealt with, it can lead to gum disease.

Visit Your Dentist Twice Per Year

It is essential to visit your dentist as suggested by your oral health professional. No matter how often you floss or how well you brush, plaque on your teeth can harden into tartar. Your gums could develop minor disease that your dentist can easily treat, but could turn into more serious gum disease if not taken care of.

The only way tartar can be removed from your teeth is through a dental scraping. Only your dentist can assess your gums to determine if they are diseased. We also do oral health screenings and other important exams to keep your teeth in great shape.

Don’t Smoke

It is unlikely that there are any smokers left in the United States who do not know how dangerous smoking is. They may know that smoking is bad for the lungs and the heart, but they may not realize that smoking can be bad for your teeth too. In addition to staining them, smoking can result in gum receding and eventual tooth loss.

Brush Your Teeth

You may think of teeth brushing as nothing more than teeth cleaning. This is false. Brushing regularly also prevents irritants from getting to your gums and can help remove harmful bacteria. Brushing is just as important to your gums as flossing is. We recommend brushing at least twice per day, though brushing after every meal is a good idea.

Do you have questions about how to best care for your teeth? If so, your next call should be to California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161. We can discuss your unique needs and schedule you for an appointment. Call us now and let us get started right away.