Follow these five tips for maintaining good oral health
Several simple steps will give you an excellent chance of keeping your teeth and gums in good health. The goal is to get and maintain healthy gums so you can avoid gingivitis and periodontitis.
Plaque results from bacteria and both plaque and bacteria irritate the gums. That’s bad for your teeth because the gums help protect teeth. They also protect the bones that support the teeth.
Gingivitis is very common. Red, tender gums that bleed easily are the hallmarks of gingivitis. Have you experienced your dental hygienist calling out numbers while measuring your gums? The numbers help assess the overall health of the gum and bone around each tooth. Generally, the lower the number, the better your chances are of avoiding gingivitis or periodontitis.
Periodontitis is commonly called gum disease. With severe periodontitis, tooth loss can occur.
A good home-care routine can make a remarkable difference in your oral health.
You can find advice at Kaiser Permanente’s general website, kp.org, but keep in mind the following five components.
First, pay attention to your brushing. Remember to brush at least twice a day and for two minutes every time.
On average, most people brush their teeth for less than 40 seconds! Brush your tongue, too. Consider buying an electric toothbrush; it can do a much better job of cleaning plaque from the gum line than a manual toothbrush.
Floss, floss, floss. It really does make a difference! If the string of floss is difficult to handle, try tying the ends together to create a loop. Or, buy flossing tools. They work well for your own teeth or your child’s.
Be sure to take your time when you floss. Rather than quickly sliding the floss to the gum line and out, work it along the side of each tooth and rock it at the gum line to remove the plaque at the base of the tooth and its neighbor.
Avoid smoking. Smoking can lead to periodontal disease and tooth loss.
Schedule regular dental exams. Routine dental exams will help your dental hygienist and dentist spot early signs of gum disease.
Eat healthily. Eat more of what you should and less of what you shouldn’t, and your gums will
respond positively to your improved diet. Also, wait 30 minutes after eating acidic foods to brush your teeth. This will allow the pH in your mouth to return to normal. By then, your teeth will not be soft from the acids, and they won’t be negatively affected by your brushing.
If you are genetically predisposed to gum disease, have a weakened immune system or have uncontrolled diabetes, your dentist will want to check frequently on your tooth and gum health but still will recommend that you take care of your teeth day to day.
Make a commitment to good oral hygiene, and you really will have something to smile about.
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