Everybody knows deep down how to take care of their gums. It’s a matter of avoiding sugar and regular dental hygiene, but in our modern world this feels like too much of an imposition. We want to enjoy ourselves and we don’t want to live like monks or nuns all the time. So what can you do to prevent gum disease and reduce your risk of tooth loss in the future?
Choose a toothpaste that’s friendly to gums
One of the first things you’ll want to do is choose a toothpaste that’s friendly to gums. Look for a specific option that protects the delicate boundary and collar around the teeth. There are all sorts of options that are specifically designed for healthy gums on the market, so pick a brand that you like. Look for something that has extra ingredients beyond standard fluorides to control plaque, and seek out products with the ADA seal of acceptance.
Replace missing teeth
The best way to prevent gum disease is to replace missing teeth. These days, you have all sorts of options from crowns to bridges to all on four implants.
When you replace missing teeth, you reduce opportunities for bacteria to colonise the gums around the gap area. If a tooth is missing, then microbes can get in between and start attacking the gum line where it has become exposed. This increases the risk of cavities and decay occurring because the area is often difficult to brush. Replacing the tooth outright, preferably with an implant, minimises or eliminates this risk.
Eat a balanced diet
You don’t have to be 100% holy, but eating a balanced diet can be a great way to limit the amount of bacteria getting into your mouth. If you can focus on vegetables, berries, leafy greens, and citrus, then you are putting yourself in a far better position than people who are eating lots of starchy, refined foods and sugary foods.
Don’t use alcohol
It should go without saying that you also want to reduce or eliminate the use of alcohol. Unfortunately, alcohol impairs blood flow, which can lead to more gum disease in the future. It can also reduce your immune response to the bacteria that are already in your mouth, making it more likely that they will damage the gum, leading to gingivitis.
The same applies to tobacco. It can also damage the gum lining because of the chemicals that it contains. This is why many people who smoke have such poor oral health. The smoke itself is what causes the harm, not necessarily the sugar in their diet.
Brush realistically
Many dental professionals recommend brushing for at least two minutes and then flossing with an optional rinse in the morning and then applying the same routine at night. For many people, this feels like too much of a chore, so you might want to start using an oscillating electric toothbrush. This performs a deeper clean in a shorter length of time, plus many devices come with timers so you can set how long you want to clean your teeth for.
You might also want to choose sugar-free gum throughout the day. When your mouth produces saliva, it can wash away bacteria.
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