Your oral health is beyond how straight your teeth are or how bright your smile is; you can; forget about your gums. Most people with gum disease don’t know something is wrong with their gums due to the mild symptoms. However, when left untreated, gum disease destroys surrounding tissues, causing periodontitis and, in severe cases, tooth loss. The good news is that periodontics Midtown West Manhattan offers deep cleaning to eliminate plaque and tartar in your teeth and prevent gum disease. Besides professional cleaning, here are other practices to ensure your gums are healthy.
Brush twice a day
Brushing your teeth twice a day is the easiest and most effective way to maintain the health of your gums and teeth. While brushing is vital for oral health, using the wrong technique is as bad as not brushing. Use round, circular motions when brushing your teeth, and avoid being aggressive. Brushing too hard makes your teeth sensitive and prone to develop grooves and cracks. Remember to brush your tongue since it also harbors bacteria. Brushing is essential since it removes food particles and plaque in your mouth; when you don’t remove them, they form tartar and may cause gum disease.
Use fluoride toothpaste
There is an essential element besides flavor and whitening power when buying toothpaste. Ensure your toothpaste contains fluoride – a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and repairs teeth, preventing tooth cavities in adults and children. Using fluoride toothpaste ensures an extra level of protection. There are also different types of fluoride rinses that you can use.
Floss everyday
Most people that brush their teeth forget how important flossing is to their oral health. While brushing eliminates plaque and food particles in your mouth, it doesn’t clean the crevices of your teeth. Flossing helps remove plaque and food in areas where brushing cannot access. Therefore, ensure you floss at least every day regardless of the time. You can floss your teeth in the morning, noontime, or evening.
Visit your dentists for routine checkups and cleanings.
Oral health practices don’t stop at brushing and flossing; regular dental visits are vital for oral health. During routine dental visits, your oral health professional cleans to give your teeth a deep clean to remove any food particles, plaque, and tartar. Besides deep cleaning, you also learn about the state of your teeth and gums. Specialists recommend visiting the dentist after every six months.
In addition to the bi-annual dental checkups, it is recommendable to see your dentist as soon as you notice any oral health changes. The earlier dental problems are diagnosed and treated, the greater the chance of preventing complications like periodontitis and tooth loss.
Quit smoking
Smoking weakens your immune system, making it harder to fight off a gum infection. Therefore, smoking elevates your risk of developing gum disease and makes healing difficult once the gums have been damaged. When you quit smoking, you improve your oral health and reduce your risk of health problems like lung and colon cancers.
Ongoing maintenance is the key to good oral health. Visit your dentist today at Carnegie Dental Wellness for a routine checkup to ensure healthy teeth and gums.