Healthy Gums for a More Healthy You

People are always talking about how to keep your teeth healthy and ward off cavities, but what about your gums? The health and care of your gums is important because it is a major line of defense for the roots of your teeth. They help to keep your teeth properly functioning as they should. Here are a few tips for making sure your gums are ready to do their job.

Brush Twice a Day

Brush twice a day and make sure to use a toothbrush with soft bristles. You may think that scrubbing away at your teeth with a rough brush will make them super clean but, in reality, you could be hurting your teeth and gums and increasing the chance of tooth erosion. To ensure that your teeth brushing is effective, replace your toothbrush about every three months. Also, remember to use toothpaste that contains fluoride to help slow the breakdown of enamel and prevent tooth decay.


Make sure to floss once a day. Food and germs get trapped between teeth and around your gums making it so your toothbrush alone will not be able to dislodge those harmful chunks. Flossing is the extra care your gums need to get rid of the bad so they can focus on the good. If the harmful material were to remain wedged in there it would eventually begin to erode the teeth and affect the gums.

Regular Dental Cleanings

Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily help to protect your teeth from germs and keep them clean, but there is usually stubborn plaque on your teeth that your daily routine just can’t get rid of. To guarantee that your oral health is where it needs to be to protect your teeth and gums, dentists recommend that you get a deep dental cleaning every 6 months.

Gum Grafting

You may need a gum graft if you have receding gums and the roots of your teeth are beginning to be exposed. Gum grafting is a surgical process that is relatively quick and simple. It helps to protect the roots of your teeth by covering them back up again with gum from the roof of your mouth. This will help your teeth to last longer by protecting the sensitive root from harmful bacteria and trauma.


Keeping your teeth happy is not only what you eat but when you eat. Of course, keep a healthy diet but also don’t eat at night after you brush your teeth. If you eat after you brush your teeth but before you got to sleep than you could get food stuck in your teeth and gums and that will just sit there through the night working away at your oral defenses.

It doesn’t take a long time each morning and evening to keep up good oral health. Just a few minutes in the bathroom will help you to keep munching away with your own teeth and gums for years to come. I don’t know about you, but that sounds totally worth the effort.


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