The health of your gums is essential for your oral & overall health! Without good oral hygiene practices, the health of your gums can suffer and you can develop conditions like gum disease. Gum disease, also known as gingivitis (in early stages) or periodontitis (in later stages), is a bacterial growth that can lead to gum, teeth, bone, and tissue damage. Luckily, gum disease is easily preventable with good oral health practices! If you’re still looking for a New Year’s resolution, we’ll give you some tips on how you can improve the health of your gums this upcoming year!
Floss Daily
Flossing is overlooked in many people’s daily oral health routine, but it shouldn’t be! While some people think that flossing is only necessary when they can feel something stuck between their teeth, it really should be something that you do every single day regardless of how your mouth feels! Flossing helps to remove food particles and plaque from your teeth and gums. If plaque isn’t removed via your daily oral health routine, the build-up of bacteria can lead to the formation of gum disease! If you want to improve your gum health in 2023, start by flossing each & every day!
Semi-Annual Dental Cleanings
Another way to improve your gum health is to see your dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months! Dental cleanings are important because your dentist will remove the plaque from those hard-to-reach spots that you may miss when brushing and flossing at home. A checkup and cleaning every six months will allow your dentist to catch and treat any potential signs of gum disease, saving you time, money, and health problems in the long run!
Use Fluoride Toothpaste & Antibacterial Mouthwash
Shopping for dental care products can be daunting, as there are so many options available to you. When shopping for toothpaste, you should be sure to select one that contains fluoride and has the ADA seal of approval. As for mouthwash, be sure to select a product that is advertised as antibacterial and has the ADA seal of approval. Using these at-home dental care products will help reduce plaque, kill harmful bacteria, and prevent gum disease!
Contact Gentle Dental Maine!
If you have any questions about good oral health practices that are beneficial to your gum health, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Gentle Dental Maine! With offices in South Portland, Biddeford, and Topsham, we provide the Southern Maine region with general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dental care! Give us a call at any one of our offices, or if you’re not yet a patient with us, please fill out the new patient form on our website!