Taking Care Of Your Gums Is As Easy As 1, 2, 3
Gums play an essential role in oral health, yet they do not always get the attention they deserve. We strive to educate our patients on the fundamentals of achieving and maintaining optimal oral health, and that includes teaching them how to take care of their gums. Please keep reading to learn the three essential steps you should be taking to keep your gums in top condition.
3 Easy Steps for Healthy Gums
Your gums need to be in good shape to protect your teeth and keep them firmly in place. Unhealthy gums invite infection, tooth decay, and even tooth loss. The good news is that taking care of your gums is easy if you are willing to do 3 basic things.
Step 1: Get the Right Angle
Twice a day, we brush our teeth. Most people concentrate on the tooth enamel to target plaque and get that smooth, clean feeling. But did you know that you should also be brushing your gums every time you brush your teeth? Food clings to the gums, and plaque loves to collect right around the gumline. If we don’t brush it away regularly, it can lead to gum disease. To effectively brush plaque and food debris away from gums, make sure the toothbrush is at a 45° angle and use short strokes where the teeth and gums meet, brushing towards the gums. Remember to be gentle to avoid damaging the sensitive gum tissue.
Step 2: Floss, Floss, Floss
Yes, we understand that most of our patients do not enjoy flossing, but we cannot overstate just how important it is for your oral health. The fact is that your toothbrush can’t reach the spaces between your teeth, where food tends to get stuck. Only flossing can get that food out of there. Not flossing allows whatever is stuck between your teeth to rot and attract harmful bacteria that will cause decay. As decay develops between your teeth, it irritates your gums and can lead to an infection. Flossing at least once a day is your best defense and essential for healthy gums. It is also important to be gentle when using dental floss because gum tissue is soft and can easily be damaged if you are too aggressive.
Step 3: Visit Us Twice a Year
For optimal gum health, we encourage all of our patients to visit us for a thorough cleaning and examination every 4-6 months. It is impossible to clean teeth perfectly with just brushing and flossing. Despite our best efforts, plaque will build up in the hard-to-reach areas. Using special instruments, we can eliminate all of the built-up plaque and tartar. Additionally, we will check your gums to see if there are any pockets where bacteria can collect and make sure you have no recession or other signs of gum disease. When you visit us consistently, we are able to monitor your oral health more closely and catch potential problems before they develop into something serious.
Healthy gums contribute to good oral health. They keep your teeth in place and provide needed protection for the most vulnerable and sensitive part of the tooth, the root. Keeping your gums healthy is easy if you brush, floss, and visit us regularly. If you are due for a cleaning and examination, contact our office located in New Braunfels, TX to request an appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon!
