Effective Gum Care – What you need to know to maintain healthy gums

Many people know the importance of brushing their teeth at least twice a day, but fewer understand the necessity of flossing just as regularly. Strong, healthy gums are the foundation of good dental health, and taking care of your gums now can keep your teeth healthy for life.

Ignoring your gums can be costly and traumatic. Gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, is caused by an accumulation of plaque. This film of bacteria coats the surfaces of the gums and teeth and can be removed by brushing and flossing. If it is allowed to accumulate, the bacteria can cause a number of issues, including soreness, bleeding gums, swelling and infection. Without treatment, gingivitis can turn into a more serious form of gum disease called periodontal disease.

To reduce your risk of gum disease and create healthy gums, and maintain good overall oral health, follow these tips:

Brush twice a day for two minutes and floss daily to remove plaque.

Carefully clean around crooked, hard-to-clean teeth, crowns, fillings and bridges. These teeth and replacement teeth can breed plaque more than other teeth.

Don’t feed bacteria with sugary drinks and foods. If you do consume these products, wait one hour to brush your teeth to prevent acid erosion.

Remove more plaque by rinsing daily with a plaque-removing mouthwash.

If you eat fruit or other sugary foods, nibble on some cheese afterward to restore a healthy acid balance in your mouth. Chewing sugar free gum can also prevent plaque from sticking.

Stay away from dried fruits. They are loaded with sugar and stick to the teeth, allowing bacteria to thrive.

Reduce your risk of developing gum disease by eating nuts and fish that are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Making these foods a regular part of your diet can reduce your risk of gingivitis by 30 percent and periodontal disease by 20 percent.

Our goal is to help our dental patients from Ashburn, Lansdowne and throughout Northern Virginia maintain healthy vibrant smiles for a lifetime, and I hope you find our dental health blog informative and helpful.

About the Author

Dr. Karan Kamboh is an experienced family and cosmetic dentist serving Ashburn & Lansdowne, Virginia. Connect with him on Google+