How to Keep your Gums Healthy?

Oral health is not just about having sparkling teeth and a bright smile. In the quest to achieve healthy white teeth, we often ignore our gums. Good oral hygiene must include teeth, gums and other areas of the mouth. Gum disease is caused by plaque build up which over time hardens and turns to tartar. The bacteria in these cause inflammation in the gums causing diseases like gingivitis. Fortunately, timely detection can reverse the damage, but if left untreated, they can damage the roots and even lead to tooth loss. Hence, caring for your gums is vital for a good oral health. The following oral hygiene tips can help you have healthy gums.

Brush Twice and Right

Brushing twice a day has always been emphasized by experts for good oral health. But, just brushing for the sake of it will not do any good. Your toothbrush, brushing technique and time plays a vital role. Using a hard toothbrush might scrape the protective tooth enamel. Instead, choose a brush with soft bristles. Brushing in light circular motions is effective and you must brush for at least two minutes. It is equally important to change your brush every three to four months because bristles tend to fray and become ineffective. Do not forget to clean your tongue to get rid of bacteria and bad breath.

Floss

Flossing helps you to remove food particles and plaque stuck in between your teeth. It is a vital part of oral care routine, because tooth brush may fail to clean certain areas. Flossing once a day is essential to achieve healthy gums and strong teeth.

Quit the Smoke

Smoking has been linked with gum and oral diseases. It tends to stain your teeth, weaken your gums, and not to mention bad breath. Since smoking also weakens your immune system, fighting off gum diseases becomes difficult. Hence, here is yet another reason to quit smoking.

Mouthwash

Mouthwash proves beneficial in removing bacteria and plaque from your mouth. Our mouth is made up not only of teeth but also tongue, palate and the area near our throat. These areas are neglected while brushing, but a good mouthwash will rid these areas of germs and bacteria. There are many types of mouthwash available over the counter, but you may want to opt for a therapeutic herbal mouthwash or one with fluoride for best results.

Limit Sugar Intake

Sugar is the biggest culprit for plaque build up, and when combined with bacteria, it can cause a dental disaster. High intake of sugary food and drinks can damage your oral health. Most of these food and drinks promote cavity formation. They also contain acid, which erodes the protective tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay and gum infections.

Acting on these tips will let you have healthy gums and a good oral health. In spite of a good oral care routine, we tend to face issues that may occur due to reasons beyond our knowledge. Regular check-up with a dentist is vital for a good oral health.