Many of us know how to take good care of our teeth – but what about our gums? With most of us focusing on the health and appearance of our teeth, our gum health is often overlooked.

In this post, our dentists at Viva Dental in Lancaster discuss why it’s important to not neglect your gums as part of your dental health routine, and how you can make sure you’re keeping them healthy.

Why is gum health important?

Not taking proper care of your gums can lead to the development of gum disease, which is caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth caused by not brushing your teeth properly, or at all. It’s an extremely common condition that affects most people at some point in their lifetime.

The early stages of gum disease are known as gingivitis. The symptoms include soreness, swelling, bleeding and bad breath. If this is left untreated, it can become a condition called periodontitis. This affects the tissue that holds the teeth in place, which can weaken over time and cause tooth loss.

Having missing teeth can lead to a number of problems, including muscle weakening in the jaw and damage to the remaining teeth.

According to WebMD, poor gum health may also increase your risk of strokes, heart disease and pneumonia.

How can I take care of my gums?

1. Brush your teeth – carefully!

It goes without saying that brushing your teeth is beneficial to your dental health, but how does this help our gums? Make sure you’re brushing high enough to remove plaque buildup on the gum line, use a soft-bristled brush to avoid causing irritation and replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months before the bristles get worn out and become ineffective.

2. Don’t forget to floss!

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends flossing daily with an interdental brush or dental floss. This ensures that any food that has got stuck between your teeth, or plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach is removed before it can cause any problems.

3. Visit your dentist

It’s important to have regular dental checkups with your dentist to find and treat any potential problems before they get serious. You should aim to make an appointment every 6 months for a checkup and a professional clean to remove any plaque and tartar that you may have missed. At Viva Dental we offer healthy mouth reviews so our dentists can identify gum problems and get them treated early.

Book your appointment today

For more information on maintaining good gum health, or to book an appointment for a healthy mouth review, get in touch with our team via our contact page and we’ll be happy to help.