Dentists are concerned with more than just your teeth. The whole health of your mouth has to be considered. If your teeth are clean, but your gums are full of bacteria, the bacteria will spread. The good news is, it is not hard to take care of your gums. Many of the steps involved are the same steps you already use when you do your oral care routine. Considering your gums play such a large role in overall oral health, they deserve nothing less.
The healthier your gums are, the less your chances are of developing cavities, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. There are five main categories to keep in mind when considering your gum health; Eating right, brushing, flossing, rinsing and dental visits.
You should know that a diet full of sugar contributes to poor dental health. Eating a lot of sugar also damages your gums. The sweetness attracts bacteria (yes they can attack your gums). Because of the stickiness, they cover ducts which means poor saliva flow. Poor saliva flow means that your mouth cannot clean itself out.
In addition to avoiding sugar, there are foods which benefit your gum line. Vitamin D can be found in fortified soy and rice beverages, almonds, low-fat dairy products, salmon, margarine, and by limited sun exposure. Your dentist can recommend foods that are rich in vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, Vitamin A, beta-carotene, and other nutrient rich foods.
When you brush your gums, use a soft-bristled brush. This should feel good, so if it hurts you are either brushing too hard, not using a soft enough brush, or you could have a disease related sensitivity (periodontics-gum-disease).
Only a pea size amount of paste needs to be used when you brush. Just as you would do when brushing your teeth, hold your brush at a 45° angle along your gum line. Use a circular motion and brush gently all around your gums. Try to start in one spot and move in a consistent direction so you get all of your gums. When you are done rinse your mouth well with water.
Flossing is fairly self-explanatory. Still, some people try to force the floss to go between their teeth. This force can cause cuts, abrasions, and or bruising to your gums. Flossing is really the only way to get those spaces between your teeth that would otherwise be missed. Be sure to curve the floss around your teeth and press it flush to your gumline. This way you know no areas are being missed.
Next, you will want to rinse again to remove the particles which were loosened during flossing. Water works, but mouthwash is better. Try to find an antibacterial one as opposed to a type that only freshens.
Even if you eat right take excellent care of your gums, teeth, and tongue, diseases can still develop in your mouth. This makes having regular dental visits one of the most important steps. A dentist can check for sensitivity and perform x-rays to find out what is going on below the surface.
Before treating gum, tooth, or other oral problems consult with Dr. JJ Edderai. A dental check-up every three to four months will allow Dr. Edderai to keep a watchful eye on your oral health and prevent cavities before they start. For answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, visit my FAQ page at http://www.northmiamibeachdentist.com/faqs/.
Copyright Dr. Jean-Jacques Edderai -2015