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What’s so great about gums?

When it comes to your mouth’s health, it’s not all about how straight your teeth are or how bright your smile is. You can’t forget about your gums! Even if you’re cavity-free and have the pearliest chompers in town, that doesn’t mean you’re immune to gum disease. Since it’s usually painless, most people have no idea that anything is wrong with their gums.

Gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Fortunately, a person can take many steps to prevent and even reverse gum disease.

This article examines how these steps can help keep gums healthy. We also provide diet tips for healthy gums and explain how to spot the signs of gum disease.

7 ways to keep the gums healthy

1. Floss daily

Many people neglect daily flossing, but the American Dental Association (ADA), recognizes this habit as an important part of oral care and says it doesn’t matter when you floss. Do it at night, do it in the morning, or do it after lunch… just do it!

Flossing removes food and plaque from between the teeth and gums. If the food and plaque remain in these areas, this can lead to tartar, which is a hard buildup of bacteria that only a dentist can remove. Tartar can lead to gum disease.

Brushing the teeth properly is key to having a healthy mouth and gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommend that people follow the guidelines below:

2. Brush the teeth properly

Brushing the teeth properly is key to having a healthy mouth and gums. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommend that people follow the guidelines below:

• Brush at least twice a day using a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
• Replace the toothbrush every3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles begin to fray.
• Brush the teeth at a 45–degree angle to the gums.
• Move the toothbrush in short strokes.
• Press gently.
• Clean the insides of the front teeth by turning the brush vertically and making several short strokes along with each tooth.

3. Use mouthwash

According to the ADA, there are two types of mouthwash: therapeutic and cosmetic. Both are available over the counter.

A therapeutic mouthwash can help:

• prevent gum disease
• reduce the speed at which tartar builds up
• reduce the amount of plaque on the teeth
• remove food particles from the mouth

However, people should not use mouthwash as a replacement for brushing and flossing.

A person should look for the ADA seal. This seal indicates that the manufacturer has demonstrated enough evidence to support the product’s safety and effectiveness.

The ADA state that children under the age of 6 years should not use mouthwash.

4. Quit smoking

Yet another reason for smokers to quit: Smoking is strongly associated with the onset of gum disease. Since smoking weakens your immune system, it also makes it harder to fight off a gum infection, say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source. Plus, smoking makes it more difficult for your gums to heal once they’ve been damaged.

5. Get regular dental checkups

Dental checkups typically include professional cleaning of the mouth. Professional cleaning is the only way to remove tartar from the teeth. Professional cleaning can also help eliminate the plaque that a person may have missed when brushing their teeth.

With regular visits, a dentist at Baytown Gentle Dental, Baytown, TX can help identify the early signs of gum disease and gingivitis, a condition in which the gums become inflamed. Early detection can help prevent more severe problems from occurring.

Diet tips

Some of the foods that people should incorporate into their diet include:

• high-fiber fruits and vegetables, as these can help clean out the mouth
• black and green teas, which help reduce bacteria
• dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, as these foods help increase saliva production
• foods that contain fluoride, which include water and some poultry and seafood products
• sugar-free gum, as chewing it will increase saliva production

It is best to avoid the following foods and beverages:

• carbonated soft drinks that contain phosphoric and citric acids as well as sugar
• alcohol, as it can dry out the mouth
• sticky candies and sweets that stay in the mouth for a while
• starchy foods that can become stuck in the teeth

It doesn’t matter whether your brush, floss, or mouthwash. Just do a good job and use the right products.

If a person begins to show any of the signs of gum disease, such as pain in the gums that lasts for longer than a week, they should visit Baytown Gentle Dental.

Dr. Seif received an award in Aesthetic Dentistry and an Advanced Standing Achievement Certificate and held a position as a part-time clinical instructor.

Dr. Seif has more than 15 years of experience as a dentist and has obtained two dental degrees. Dr. Seif earned his first degree in dentistry in Syria in 1998 and practiced general dentistry until coming to the US to advance his education by earning a second dental degree from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, a world-renown dental institute. While at Loma Linda, Dr. Seif received an award in Aesthetic Dentistry and an Advanced Standing Achievement Certificate and held a position as a part-time clinical instructor.

Dr. Seif’s compassion and friendly nature is evident to his patients. He believes that every individual should be treated in a kind, caring and respectful manner. Dr. Seif is dedicated to life-long learning and enjoys participating in post-graduate courses that enable him to provide his patients and community with the excellent dental care he believes every person deserves.

Moving from the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2014, Dr. Seif now calls Baytown his home. Along with cooking, friends, family and his dog, Sophie, he enjoys southern culture. He is enthralled by the friendliness and hospitality he finds in Texas, saying, “This is exactly the kind of community I want to live and practice in!”