How to Get Healthy Teeth and Gums
There’s no quick fix to regaining your oral health. But seeing our dentists at least every 6 months for preventive dental care is a good place to start. In this blog post, we’ll also offer our tips on how to build good oral hygiene habits at home that will help you back on the path to healthy teeth and gums.
Here’s how to get started.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
Our dentists and their team are compassionate, knowledgeable, and respectful. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist, we’ll start by getting your medical history and having you fill out our other new patient forms. We’ll also give you a thorough checkup so we can diagnose any oral health issues, such as cavities or gum disease.
If we diagnose oral health issues, our dentists will recommend the appropriate course of treatment to help you regain oral health. For example, our dentists may recommend scaling and root planing if you have periodontitis (a serious gum infection). Scaling and root planing is a gum disease treatment in which we both above and below the gum line.
Related: How to Cure Gingivitis →
In general, we recommend that you schedule teeth cleanings every 6 months. Although, you may need more frequent cleanings if our dentists need to monitor a chronic oral health condition, such as periodontitis.
BRUSH YOUR TEETH TWICE A DAY
If you aren’t already, make sure that you’re brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. You should also be using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a head that’s small enough to get around each tooth.
Brushing your teeth is a good habit to get into because it helps remove plaque from the surface of your teeth and gums. Dental plaque is an invisible film of bacteria that lives inside your mouth. When you eat sugary and/or starchy foods, these bacteria eat the food particles left behind. They then produce an acid that erodes your tooth enamel and attacks your gums.
FLOSS YOUR TEETH ONCE A DAY
Plaque loves to hide where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. That’s why it’s important that you floss your teeth at least once a day. That way, you’ll be able to remove any trapped food particles and plaque caught between teeth.
People who don’t floss their teeth have a much higher risk of developing cavities between teeth. Also, keep in mind that untreated plaque can harden into tartar, which can only be removed by a dental professional during your next teeth cleaning.
USE A FLUORIDE MOUTH RINSE
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel, which helps reduce your risk of developing cavities. If you’re still having issues with plaque buildup, one of our dentists may recommend using a fluoride mouth rinse. Fluoride mouth rinse is perfectly safe and will also help you rinse away any particles still left on your teeth and gums.
BUILD ON THE HABITS YOU ALREADY HAVE
We understand that it can be difficult to . But a little grit and determination today will pay off in dividends later as you start taking control of your oral health.
In the meantime, try building onto the morning and evening routines you already have. For example, if you always shower in the evenings, you can add brushing and flossing your teeth to your daily routine. Adding a new habit onto an existing routine may help you on your path.
LIMIT SUGARY FOODS AND DRINKS
Your diet affects your oral health and wellbeing. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of the foods and drinks you consume on a regular basis. Otherwise, you may be bathing your teeth in sugar and feeding the bacteria that live inside your mouth. The result is more plaque and a higher risk of tartar buildup, gum disease, cavities, and other health issues.
While plaque is invisible, you may feel it when you run your tongue against your teeth. Plaque buildup will make your teeth feel rough or “fuzzy,” especially after consuming a lot of sugar. Reducing your sugar intake will help you enjoy healthier teeth and gums in the long run.
CALL ADVANCE DENTAL
Our dentists in Grand Rapids, MI, would be more than happy to help you on your journey to better oral health and wellness. To request an appointment, please call Advance Dental at (616) 956-9183. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
This blog post has been updated.
