Maintaining gum health is crucial for overall oral hygiene, and periodontics focuses specifically on achieving this goal. Ensuring that your gums remain healthy can prevent numerous dental problems and enhance your overall well-being. Here are some expanded tips from dental professionals to help you maintain healthier gums.

Brush Your Teeth Properly

Proper brushing technique is fundamental for effective oral care. Use a soft-bristled or medium-bristled toothbrush and brush for at least four minutes, twice a day. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gumline to ensure you clean both teeth and gum/tooth interface effectively. Remember to replace your toothbrush every two to three months and to gently brush your tongue and hard palate to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.

Floss Twice Daily

Tooth brushing only reaches about 70% of the tooth circumference. Flossing is an essential practice that removes food particles and plaque from areas that a toothbrush cannot reach. By flossing twice daily, you can prevent plaque buildup between teeth, reducing the risk of gum inflammation and disease. 

Many people are turned off flossing by how long it takes. If you are new to flossing it can feel like you are all ‘fingers and thumbs’ starting off and that it is taking forever.  However it is possible to floss all of your mouth in 2 minutes or less.   The secret is to develop the hand skill and the habit.  Limit yourself to 2 minutes, pick and area, for example the posterior lower left teeth and start! Once you reach 2 minutes stop.  Pick up from that point at the next flossing session.  It may take 4 sessions over two days to floss all teeth at the beginning.  Over time as your skill and dexterity develops you will quickly learn to cover the whole mouth.

Flossing does not have to be done at the same time as brushing. It does not have to be done in front of the bathroom mirror.  What can you seen in the mirror? Certainly not the floss going between the back teeth.  It can be done at any convenient time, whether in the morning, afternoon, or evening. Some patients try to couple flossing to something they do every day.  Flossing at the same time as showering? Even flossing while watching TV can be effective! 

Each flossing session contributes significantly to healthier gums.

Quit or Avoid Tobacco Use

Tobacco consumption, whether through smoking or chewing, has detrimental effects on gum health. Tobacco impairs proper blood oxygenation, preventing gum tissue from receiving sufficient blood for repair and regeneration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that smoking weakens the immune system, making it harder to combat gum infections. 

Smoking plays a major role in the development of periodontal disease around teeth and dental implants.  It can also cause recession of the gums. Quitting or avoiding tobacco use can significantly improve your gum health and overall well-being.

Vaping may be useful in quitting smoking but it too can be detrimental to oral health.

Have Regular Professional Dental Cleanings

Regular cleanings are essential for maintaining gum health, retaining teeth, reducing recession and long term dental implant maintenance. Professional cleanings with the dental hygienist remove plaque and tartar that regular brushing and flossing might miss. 

Research indicates that regular cleanings, combined with daily oral care, can reverse the signs and symptoms of gingivitis, ensuring healthier gums. For patients with periodontal disease the cornerstone of long term periodontal health is three monthly maintenance visits to the hygienist. Dental implants should also be maintained regularly with visits to the hygienist.

These appointments also allow your hygienist to detect early signs of gum disease and provide feedback on how well you are cleaning and how best to improve.  

Eat Gum-Friendly Snacks

Sugary foods and drinks provide a breeding ground for harmful bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria can cause significant damage to teeth, which may eventually impact the gums. Instead of sugary snacks, opt for  foods that promote dental health. Dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt, are excellent choices as they are rich in calcium and phosphate, which strengthen teeth and gums. Vegetables like carrots and celery stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleanses the mouth. Fresh fruits, particularly those with high water content like apples and pears, help wash away food particles and bacteria.

Drink More Water

Staying hydrated is vital for maintaining a healthy mouth. Drinking water stimulates saliva production, which helps balance the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Saliva acts as a natural defence against bacterial acids, which can harm teeth and gums. Aim to drink seven to eight glasses of water daily to ensure adequate saliva production and overall bodily functions. Rinsing your mouth with water after consuming sugary or acidic foods and drinks can also help neutralize harmful acids.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste

Choosing the right toothpaste is crucial for protecting your teeth and gums. Fluoride toothpaste is highly recommended by dental professionals as it strengthens tooth enamel and protects against bacterial acids. Using fluoride toothpaste helps maintain strong, healthy teeth, which in turn supports gum health. Be sure to brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day for optimal results.