Advice For Healthy Gums

It is fairly easy not to give much thought to what holds our teeth in place. Some people may believe that this is the primary function of their gums, but that is not actually the case – your teeth are actually held in place by the bone in your jaw, which is only covered by a thin layer of gum.

Gum disease affects both the gums and the bones that support your teeth. Only a dental professional can check your bone levels by measuring them and looking at your x-rays to diagnose. In this article we will provide you with some great tips for healthy gum maintenance at home, along with the importance of routine appointments at the dentist.

Care at home

It is extremely important to regularly clean your teeth and gums effectively (using the proper techniques) and to maintain this habit, making sure you never miss the occasional brush and floss.

You should brush your teeth and gums twice a day with a good quality soft toothbrush. We also recommend an electric toothbrush, which delivers a level of cleaning that is difficult to replicate manually. Brushing should be with a level of firmness that does not damage gums, as brushing too hard with the wrong technique may lead to your gums receding.

Many people mistakenly think that a toothbrush with hard bristles must be better at cleaning, giving a more thorough clean than medium or soft bristles. In reality, “scrubbing” with a hard bristle brush could run the risk of doing more damage than good. A soft toothbrush is ideal and more than sufficient.

At least once a day you should include flossing or the use of interdental brushes to clean between teeth and remove plaque that any toothbrush is going to struggle to reach. Remember that flossing represents the cleaning of 2 out of the 5 surfaces of your teeth.

Visit Our Dentist & Hygienist

Although you can be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of gum problems, only a trained professional can diagnose with certainty what is early gum disease (gingivitis) and what is full onset gum disease (periodontitis) and advise the best course of treatment.

Regular check-ups ensure that any issues are caught early. It doesn't take much for gum problems to begin, but it is a lot more difficult to correct. A professional clean by our dentists or hygienists will ensure that areas which still need attention are taken care of, because once plaque has hardened it cannot be removed at home.

For more advice on how to best look after your teeth and gums, including great oral hygiene habits for preventative action, please make an appointment with one of our caring team here at Armadale Dental Group.