Keeping Your Gums Healthy
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by Dr. Beau Beecher, DDS on 2/5/2019
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General
Everyone seems to understand that proper dental care means keeping your teeth clean, but it can be easy to forget that taking care of your gums are just as important, if not more so. Gum disease, for example, is linked to a number of different illnesses and can leave those with weakened immune systems vulnerable to health complications.
The good news is that, like your teeth, keeping your gums healthy is simple and can be managed by following a few simple tips to incorporate into your life.
Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal
You may already brush your teeth every morning, but doing so after every meal can be more effective. Doing so helps reduce the amount of food and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums. You should also be scrubbing your tongue, as well, to remove any bacteria.
Kimball & Beecher will typically provide you with a new toothbrush after each regular appointment, but you should also be swapping it out for a new one when the bristles start to fray. All toothbrushes work to reduce plaque and gingivitis, but children may be more engaged with interactive electric toothbrushes. There are some elderly patients who also find that electric toothbrushes enhance their ability to brush.
Floss at Least Once a Day
Under and along the gum line is where plaque can build up, causing infections that can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. That build-up can be created by plaque and food outside the reach of your toothbrush. Flossing enables you to clean those hard-to-reach areas.
Remembering to floss at least once a day -- in the morning, after lunch, or at night -- can make a dramatic difference when it comes to the health of your gums.
Schedule an Appointment With a Kimball & Beecher Dentist
This should come as no surprise, considering the source, but believe me when I tell you that regular dental cleanings are vital to keeping your gums healthy. Your teeth and gums will benefit from a professional cleaning, and the appointment is also an opportunity for us to detect any early symptoms of gum disease. We can then treat them before the condition worsens. Don't wait, schedule an appointment with a Kimball & Beecher dentist today.