6 Tips for Healthy Gums

Making use of a good oral hygiene routine is the most effective preventative measure against gum disease.

With sparkling white smiles often being people’s focus, gums can get overlooked. Healthy gums are a significant contributor to good oral and general health.

In this article, our dentists share with you the signs of healthy vs. unhealthy gums and 6 tips for healthy gums.

Are My Gums Healthy?

It can be difficult to tell if your gums are healthy or not, especially in the early stages of gum disease. This is because the symptoms, to begin with, are mild.

To help give you a better idea of the condition of your gums, we’ve created a list of indicators of good and bad gum health that are easily identifiable.

Healthy Gums

• Are pink (varies with complexion) and firm
• Don’t bleed easily
• Have a tight fit around your teeth
• Don’t allow your teeth to wobble
• Aren’t sore or inflamed

Unhealthy Gums

• Are red and inflamed
• Feel sore to touch
• Bleed often
• Are loose around your teeth or receding
• Allow for wobbly (adult) teeth

If you were thinking that gum health creates a whole lot of extra work, we’re pleased to tell you that this is not the case!

Looking after your gums doesn’t require much extra work at all. Looking out for your gum health looks very much like a good dental hygiene routine.

Here are some tips for healthy gums:

#1. Brush twice daily

Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. There is no benefit for your gums or teeth in brushing hard. Brush gently in circular motions. It’s a good idea to replace your toothbrush every 3 months.

#2. Floss everyday

Flossing is a vital part of a good oral health regime but is neglected by many. Food and plaque that gets stuck between your teeth and gums are difficult to remove by brushing alone.

Failure to floss daily results in the build of plaque in these areas, which, in turn, leads to tartar. Tartar is extremely hard and can only be removed by a dentist.

And, unfortunately, with tartar comes gum disease.

#3. Be rinse smart

Excessive mouth rinsing after brushing your teeth is counterproductive in terms of fluoride effectiveness, as most of it gets washed away.

However, rinsing your mouth out after eating helps remove food debris that creates plaque, and eventually tartar.

Rinse your mouth with water, or an ADA approved therapeutic mouthwash. If you’re experiencing tender gums that are red or inflamed, you can use a saltwater rinse to encourage a natural healing process.

#4. Avoid sugary and starchy foods

The health of your teeth and gums is directly affected by what you eat and drink. Simple carbohydrates and foods that are high in sugar encourage plaque growth.

As we touched on before, a build-up of plaque leads to tartar. And tartar is a major contributor to poor gum health.

It’s best to consume a wholesome and nutritious diet that consists of things like:

• Fruits and veggies that are high in fibre
• Dairy products
• Green and black teas
• Seafood and poultry products
• Water

#5. Stop smoking

Smoking and the use of other tobacco products increases your risk of developing gum disease. This is because of the dire effects they have on your immune system.

Use of tobacco products can result in a dry mouth, and this creates the ideal environment for plaque and bacteria to flourish.

#6. Visit your dentist regularly

One of the best ways to ensure you’re on track with great oral health is by regularly visiting your dentist.

Having regular dental check-ups not only allows for early detection of gingivitis and gum disease, but it’s a great opportunity for you to have for a professional dental clean.

Having routine professional cleans done at the dentist is important for removing built-up plaque and tartar.

Are you overdue a dental visit? Book your next check-up with one of our caring and gentle dentists at our Canley Heights family dental practice.

Treating Gum Disease

The first thing you should if your gums start displaying unhealthy signs, is get in touch with a dentist. Once your dentist has determined the condition of your gums, a tailored treatment plan can be put in place.

When it comes to gum disease, time is of the essence. This is because gum disease is revisable in its early stages. However, the more severe gum disease becomes, the harder, more uncomfortable and costly its treatment becomes.

Quality Gum Care in Canley Heights

Our gums play a major role in our mouth. Neglecting them ultimately leads to tooth loss. But the good news is, gum disease is very preventable and doesn’t require much extra than a good at-home dental hygiene routine and a 6-monthly visit to the dentist.

Our team at Canley Heights Dental Care are here to make every visit to the dentist as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Contact us to make an appointment.

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Includes dental exam, cleans, fluoride application, X-rays, mouthguards, simple fillings, simple extractions*

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For more tips for healthy gums, please call us on (02) 9199 9678 or book your appointment online.

We are located at 1/229 Canley Vale Road in Canley Heights.