Daily Habits to Keep Your Gums Healthy and Strong

When it comes to taking care of our overall health, it is essential not to neglect our oral hygiene. Maintaining strong and healthy gums is crucial for our overall oral health. Gum disease can cause tooth loss and bone deterioration. Fortunately, there are plenty of daily habits that you can adopt to keep your gums healthy and strong. At Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington KY, our team of dental experts recommends the following habits to ensure your gum health.

Brush Properly and Consistently

Brushing your teeth twice a day is not enough; you need to ensure that you are brushing properly and consistently. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and clean every tooth, including the hard-to-reach areas around your molars. Also, make sure to brush your gums lightly in a circular motion. This helps remove plaque, bacteria, and food particles from your mouth, which can lead to gum disease.

Floss Daily

Flossing your teeth isn’t always fun, but it’s crucial to remove plaque and bacteria from the areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing daily helps eliminate food particles and bacteria between your teeth and under the gum line. When food particles are left between your teeth and gums, it can lead to inflammation and irritation, causing gum disease. That’s why flossing every day is a must.

Cut Back on Sugary Foods

Eating sugary foods is not only bad for your overall health but also for your gum health. The sugar in sweets and sugary drinks promotes the growth of plaque and bacteria in your mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Limiting your sugar intake and incorporating healthier foods into your diet can help prevent these oral health issues.

Rinse with Mouthwash

Adding a mouthwash to your oral hygiene routine can help sweep away bacteria and debris from your mouth. A good mouthwash also helps neutralize acidic oral environments, which can lead to weakened enamel and cavities. Rinsing with mouthwash daily can help keep your gums healthy, freshen your breath, and leave your mouth feeling clean.

Quit Smoking

Smoking can cause significant damage to your gums and oral health in general. Smokers are more likely to develop gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. Smoking suppresses your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off infections, including those that cause gum disease. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your overall oral health.

Contact Us Today

If you want to keep your gums healthy and strong, adopting daily habits such as brushing and flossing properly, limiting sugar intake, rinsing with mouthwash, and quitting smoking is essential. Taking care of your gums is crucial for your overall oral health, as it helps prevent gum disease, tooth loss, and other oral health problems. At Park Hills Family Dentistry in Lexington KY, our dental experts are always ready to help you keep your gums healthy and keep your winning smile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.