3 Simple Habits for Healthier Gums
A bright and healthy smile goes beyond the picture-perfect pearly whites! It is also important to have strong and healthy gums to prevent bad breath, gum pain and most importantly keep our teeth in place. Healthy gums and overall health are also closely intertwined. Do you know that in certain cases, untreated gum disease can trigger the immune system to go into hyperdrive and the possible development of autoimmune disorders? It can also pave the way for bacteria to enter the bloodstream.
However, you too can have strong gums and good oral health in these 3 easy steps:
Taking care of your gums starts with good oral hygiene
Brushing
Take at least two minutes to brush your teeth. Most people only spend 30-45 seconds brushing their teeth but brushing your teeth for two minutes can get rid of 26% more plaque. But, if you take more time and are more intentional in your brushing technique, you will be able to clean your teeth more thoroughly to prevent dental plaque build-up.
If you are using an electric toothbrush, choose one with a round brush head and a built-in timer. Using a manual toothbrush? Choose one with soft bristles and start at a 45 degrees angle from the gum line.
Flossing
Cleaning between your teeth is just as important as the rest of your teeth! If you have very healthy gums, feel free to use regular dental floss. However, an interdental brush is more suitable for those with gum recession.
You can also choose to use a combination of floss and interdental brushes of different sizes - the floss for spaces where the interdental brush cannot fit, a small interdental brush for smaller spaces and a bigger interdental brush for bigger spaces.
Maintaining good health habits
Maintaining good health habits will help support healthy gums and vice versa. We recommend you to start small by getting your vitamins in!
Vitamin C helps to build and repair your body’s connective tissues. It also helps to prevent and reduce tissue inflammation and speed up your body’s regeneration and recovery.
Vitamin D supports the growth of your bones’ mineral density, helping your body to better absorb calcium.
Calcium is essential to help you build strong bones and teeth. Strong jaw bones will provide a strong anchor for your teeth, and healthy teeth are protected against oral bacteria and thus, periodontal disease.
Additionally, quitting smoking can greatly reduce the onset and progression of gum disease and tooth loss. Patients with certain chronic diseases like diabetes should also look to keep their conditions under control. This prevents higher blood sugar in the mouth, and prevent bacteria growth that can cause gum disease.
Visit your dentist regularly
See your dentist at least twice a year for a comprehensive check-up and if they notice any sign of gingivitis and refer you to a periodontist, get yourself started on the treatment plan early to prevent the progression of gum disease. If this is your first time consulting a periodontist, s/he will review your medical and dental histories, and may require X-rays to observe your bone health.
Prevention and early intervention can greatly reduce the risk of gingivitis and tooth loss. If you are experiencing any gum swelling and pain, or would like to book your regular dental health check-up, make an appointment now with Dr Edwin Goh at enquiries@dredwingoh.com.