Face, dental floss and senior man in studio isolated on a gray background. Portrait, cleaning and elderly male model with product flossing teeth for oral wellness, tooth care and healthy gum hygiene.
How do you know if your gums are at risk for inflammation and disease? Underlying factors could include a family history of poor periodontal health, inflammatory illnesses, and the use of certain medications. Improper brushing and flossing and infrequent visits for cleanings could be a factor too, as these allow plaque buildup to accumulate and inflame the gums. You may eventually notice a redness in your smile, or gum soreness and blessing when you brush and floss. When this happens, you need to see us right away for an appointment to begin treatment. But often a few simple changes to your oral hygiene routine could protect your smile from these complications.
You should brush your teeth using a toothbrush with soft bristles as well as a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride helps improve your ability to fight harmful bacteria that impacts your teeth and gums. You should brush for two minutes when you wake up and then again before going to bed. Be sure you reach every available surface when you do. These actions remove food particles that would otherwise feed harmful bacteria and increase the history of plaque buildup. You should clean along the gum line as well. An electric toothbrush is also effective if you use it properly.
Flossing is just as important as brushing and needs to happen every evening before you brush for the last time. You can use a pick or tape, just as long as you’re taking time to clean up and down each side of every tooth, and dipping beneath the gum line to remove trapped particles. This removes what a toothbrush cannot reach, and is essential for fighting gingivitis and periodontal disease. Taking time to clean your teeth each day helps limit your plaque and tartar levels until we can see you for a cleaning to remove all buildup.
What we eat and drink matters too! When you have a diet high in sugar and starch, this leaves behind particles for harmful oral bacteria to consume, which then leads to plaque and poor gum health. Instead, try snacks and meals high in vitamin C and D, which can boost your immune system and strengthen tooth enamel. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and whole grain breads. Drink plenty of water too, as this helps rinse away particles of food, and doesn’t contain any harmful sugars and starches.
We would like to help you improve your oral hygiene and protect your gums. If you would like to find out more about enjoying a healthy smile, then call Dr. Kania’s office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.
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