Your gums are just as important as your teeth, tongue or any other part of your body. That means they should be looked after as you would any other part of your physical or mental health.

How important are healthy gums?

Healthy gums are extremely important! Your gums act as a protective seal against any germs and bacteria. Your gums also keep your teeth in place, so without your gums, your teeth would fall out of place. Gums are also key to keeping bacteria at bay because without them in place, bacteria enter deeper parts of your mouth and cause problems all around your body.  

If bacteria enter the gum line or mouth, it can cause the entire teeth structure to break down, and it can also affect your entire body. 

Will living a healthy lifestyle help?

In short, yes it will. There are some easy healthy swaps you can make which will benefit your gums. The first is to limit the amount of sugary food and drinks you consume. When you eat or drink sugary items, your mouth produces acid to break down the sugar, but this can actually be harmful to your teeth. We’re not saying that you should never eat sweets or chocolate ever again, however limiting the amount of sugar your intake might not be a bad idea to ensure healthy gums and teeth.

Another way of ensuring that no damage will occur to your teeth is to stop smoking. Smoking can be harmful to your teeth and gums, and it can even lead to gum disease (periodontitis). Individuals who regularly smoke tend to produce more bacterial plaque, which can lead to infection. Smoking will cause a lack of oxygen in your bloodstream which means that if your gums get infected, they won’t heal as quickly as a non-smoker. 

Best ways to ensure healthy gums when flossing

The action of flossing will help to remove any plaque or bacteria which has got stuck between your teeth and gums. This covers the area where a toothbrush may struggle to reach. When you’re flossing, make sure that you’re not forgetting to floss the gum line, where your teeth meet your gums. This can be a particularly common entry point for bacteria to get into your mouth. The best method to do this is to hug the gumline and then go in an up and down motion with the floss around the side of the tooth. Be careful not to be too rough with your floss as this won’t get rid of plaque effectively.  

Why is flossing important?

Flossing is an essential part of your daily dental hygiene routine as it helps to remove plaque from between your teeth. If plaque is not removed and simply just sits on the surface and between your teeth, then it may turn into a substance named tartar. Tartar is known to cause more of a problem than plaque as it cannot be removed by flossing or brushing, it can only be removed by visiting a professional dentist. 

Will regular trips to the dentist help?

It’s recommended that you visit a dentist every six months or so. Your dentist will be able to clean your teeth and check for any warning signs within your mouth. We can’t always see in our mouths clearly, but a dentist will be able to and can locate any points of concern if there are any. Regular trips to the dentist mean that if you do have any dental problems, they will be picked up on early and therefore solved faster before the problems progress further. 

How to improve your gum health overnight

There is no ‘super quick’ way of improving your gum health. However, eight hours is a long time and your mouth can do a lot in that time. So, there are some habits you should put in place to make sure that you’re looking after your gums to the best of your ability. Brushing your teeth, particularly using short strokes will help to protect your gums against plaque build-up. An electric toothbrush is probably the best way forward to make sure that no plaque gets left after brushing. 

How to prevent unhealthy gums from a young age

Gum disease can be prevented with a good dental hygiene routine. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes is the easiest way to avoid any run-ins with gum disease. Instilling good dental hygiene into children is important. They should start brushing when they get their first tooth and continue keeping a good routine for their entire lives. Parents need to show their children what toothpaste and brush they should be using. Making sure that they’re using toothpaste that contains fluoride will be essential in reducing their risk of oral health problems.

Products that can help ensure healthy gums

Dental floss or water flosser are the best two products you can buy to ensure healthy gums and the easy removal of plaque. Using a water flosser can sometimes be less effective than using a string of floss itself, however, they’re still a good investment for those with limited mobility or braces. 

Another product that is pretty obvious, but essential to ensuring healthy gums for life is a good toothbrush. We would recommend an electric toothbrush. Electric brushes do all the work for you, and they usually leave your mouth super clean. Investing in your oral health routine is important. 

Keep an eye on your gums

The most important thing is to regularly have a look in your mouth for any warning signs of gum disease or any other issues. Although you may experience pain with some dental issues, by this time the infection may have progressed too far or may be difficult to cure at this stage. If you do think that there may be something wrong inside your mouth, book an appointment with your local dentist and express your concerns to them. They’ll be able to advise you on what your next steps forward should be.