Most people only think about their teeth when it comes to oral health, but what about gum health? Optimal gum health is just as important as tooth health. Oral hygiene is something that should be taken into consideration when you'rebrushing and flossing your teeth.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to improve your gum health and keep your gums healthy and happy. Adopting a few of the tips that we shall give can help ensure that your gums stay in top shape, and they may even prevent gum disease from arising.
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Moreover, like the Dr. Brite oral care products, many products specifically target gum health to ensure that your gums are just as healthy and beautiful as the rest of your teeth. Our products have ingredients like green tea and baking soda, which help to promote gum health and even kill harmful bacteria that may affect your gums.
What Is Gum Health?
To understand how to improve gum health, you first need to know normal gum health. Healthy gums are firm and pink in color, but they don't bleed very easily. When brushing your teeth, you should be able to touch the surface of your gums without causing them too much discomfort or bleeding.
What Can Harm My Gums?
To keep your gums in top shape, it's essential to know what can harm them. A few of the things that can damage or affect your gum health include:
Plaque - Developing gum disease and infection happens due to plaque. If you don't brush and floss regularly, plaque will build up around your teeth.
If you don't brush and floss, the plaque will directly affect your gum health. It collects on your teeth and starts to irritate your gums, which can lead to infections that cause swelling. Eventually, this swelling could cause bleeding in your gums or even expose the root of your tooth, which is just as bad as it sounds.
Gingivitis -This is a type of gum disease caused by plaque. If you don't brush and floss, the plaque will start to irritate your gums and cause them to become red and swollen, which is called gingivitis. The next stage of this infection is when the gums begin to pull away from your teeth, allowing bacteria to enter even deeper into the gum tissue. It could be a sign that you're on the road towards periodontitis (the advanced stage of gum disease), which is when your gums separate from your teeth and form pockets.
Periodontitis - If you already have gingivitis, you're on the road towards periodontal disease. It's an extreme case of gum disease, which can lead to bone loss in your jaw over time. The infection penetrates the bones that hold your teeth in place, which is why it's so important to get diagnosed by a professional if you think you have this condition.
Tartar - Tartar is a hardened form of plaque that forms on your teeth when you don't brush and floss. If tartar builds up, it could lead to gum disease over time.
How Can I Make My Gums Healthy Again?
If you're wondering how to improve gum health, there are quite a few things you can do. Let's look at a few different methods that can help.
1. Use Toothpaste Aimed at Strengthening Enamel
There are many different types of toothpaste on the market, and some of them were explicitly designed for stronger enamel. If you want to improve your gum health, it's a good idea to useenamel-strengthening toothpaste to help keep your teeth from becoming too sensitive. The toothpaste should contain fluoride since this mineral can help to strengthen bones and teeth.
2. Avoid Using String Floss
Flossing is one of the essential parts of your daily oral care routine, but using string floss can have a damaging effect on your gums. It's because string floss can scrape against your gum line and cause them to recede.
3. Brush and Floss After Every Meal
Just because you flossed before breakfast or brushed your teeth at work, it doesn't mean that you're done for the day. Be sure to brush and floss after every meal to eliminate any leftover food particles and plaque. It's never a bad idea to brush your teeth regularly throughout the day, either.
4. Reduce Your Intake of Sugary Foods and Beverages
Sugary snacks and soft drinks can give your teeth the fuel it needs to demineralize enamel. It's particularly true if you enjoy these types of foods or beverages several times per day. If you're trying to improve your gum health, it's best to reduce the number of sugary foods and drinks you consume overall.
5. Stop Smoking or Limit Your Smoking Habits
If you're a smoker, then it's time to quit the habit for good. Not only does smoking damage your gums and teeth, but smokers also have higher levels of bacteria in their mouths than non-smokers. If you smoke, be sure to brush and floss twice per day or use a teeth whitening pen to get rid of any leftover bacteria.
6. Brush Your Teeth Properly
Even if you use an excellent toothbrush, you won't see results unless you brush your teeth the right way. Those who want to improve gum health need to be sure that they're brushing for two minutes, at least twice per day. It's the only way to ensure that all plaque has been removed.
7. Get Cleanings from Your Dentist Twice Per Year
Investing in cleanings from your dentist twice per year can help to keep your gums and teeth healthy. These professional cleanings usually involve the hygienist removing plaque and tartar by scraping and scaling your teeth, a painless treatment that won't cost you much money. While it's ideal for getting cleanings from your dentist twice per year, you can also schedule cleanings with a dental hygienist every six months.
8. Replace Your Toothbrush Every Three Months to Stop Bacterial Growth
To improve gum health, it's crucial to replace your toothbrush at least every three months. The reason is your toothbrush will become worse at removing plaque and tartar the more you use it. That's why the bacteria on the bristles of your toothbrush will begin to grow, collect dirt, and attach themselves to your teeth.
9.Use Mouthwash to Help Reduce Plaque
While flossing is imperative, mouthwash can also help prevent plaque buildup. Mouthwash helps to eliminate bacteria between your teeth, and it can reduce inflammation in the gum line. If you want to improve gum health, try using an antibacterial mouthwash daily or after eating or drinking anything that contains sugar.
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Can You Rebuild Your Gums?
Unfortunately, no. Once your gums have receded from the root of a tooth, you won't be able to rebuild them. However, it's still possible to improve gum health while strengthening existing teeth and gums.
How Can I Get My Gums Back?
For those wondering how to get their gums back, improving gum health by using protective sprays and rinses is possible. These products often contain fluoride and other minerals such as calcium and potassium. Other treatments for gums may includeprescription medication, which you can ask your dentist about.
The Secret to Healthy Gums? A Clean Mouth
It may seem obvious, but the simplest way to improve gum health is by having a clean mouth. When you brush and floss every day, this will prevent bacteria from spreading throughout your mouth. Healthy gums can also be achieved by eating fiber-rich foods such as fresh veggies and fruits. It's because fiber helps your body to flush away harmful toxins.
Some people are at risk of poor gum health, which means they might be more likely to contract gum disease. Risk factors include conditions such as diabetes or smoking and a genetic predisposition to developing periodontitis. If you have any of these factors in your life, it's best to see your dentist more frequently than usual.
When to See a Dentist About Gum Health
Some signs of gum disease that indicate that it's time to see your dentist about gum health include bleeding when brushing or flossing, swollen gums, loose teeth, bad breath, andpersistent pain in the mouth or jaw. By getting these issues taken care of by a professional at your earliest convenience, you'll be able to protect yourself from gum disease, have healthy teeth and tooth loss.
FAQ
1. Can gums be restored naturally?
Unfortunately, no. Gums will not naturally regenerate themselves after receding from the root of a tooth.
2. What are some foods that help to improve gum health?
Foods that help improve gum health include fresh veggies and fruits high in fiber. Fiber helps you to get rid of harmful toxins.
3. What do I do to keep gums healthy?
To keep gums healthy, it's best to brush and floss every day. It would be best if you also replaced your toothbrush at least every three months to prevent bacteria from growing on the bristles of your toothbrush.
4. Can you rebuild your gums?
Yes, you can rebuild your gums. However, it is important to seek professional help in order to achieve the best possible results. A dentist can help you identify the underlying cause of your gum problems and recommend the appropriate treatment plan. In many cases, gum reconstruction can be achieved through a combination of therapies, including dental surgery, scaling and root planing, and laser therapy.
5. Does salt water help gums?
Salt-water can help cleanse and soothe gums. Salt water also helps to reduce inflammation.
Conclusion
By following these tips for improving gum health, you'll be able to keep your mouth clean and robust. While keeping up with regular cleanings from your dentist can help to prevent gum disease, these other solutions will also ensure that you don't have any signs of it in the future.
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