How to Improve Gum Health: 7 Things Your Dentist Wants You to Know

With National Gum Care Month in September, the team at Gentle Dental wants you to know how to improve your gum health. A healthy mouth means more than fresh breath. Healthy gums protect your teeth’s roots and your overall oral health. That’s not all. Scientists believe bacteria from diseased gums may play a role in your immunity and trigger chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cognitive impairment, and many more. Do all you can to improve your gum health now with our 7 easy dentist-recommended habits.

1. Brush Gently, Twice a Day

Brushing twice a day is the most basic habit for good oral health, but are you brushing the right way? Use a soft-bristled brush and gentle, circular motions along the gum line. Hard scrubbing isn’t necessary, and brushing too roughly wears down gum tissue over time. Gentler brushing is actually more effective.

Brush twice a day, morning and night, for at least two minutes. This habit is the foundation for everything else on our list.

2. Don’t Skip Flossing

Bigger meals and hearty foods mean more food stuck between your teeth, and trapped food causes the sticky bacteria known as plaque. When plaque hardens into tartar, it’s more difficult to remove and can cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Flossing prevents food from staying stuck and threatening your gum health. Also, flossing removes the plaque and food particles that brushing can’t reach. At Gentle Dental, we recommend flossing at least once daily, ideally at night after you’ve finished eating for the day. If traditional flossing is difficult or uncomfortable, especially for children, water flossers provide an easy alternative.

3. Use an Antimicrobial or Fluoride Mouthwash

Mouthwash doesn’t replace brushing and flossing, but it supplements your routine well. Rinsing reduces plaque bacteria between brushing and flossing, and mouthwash reaches those areas that brushing and flossing cannot.

4. Watch Sugary Treats and Drinks

Who doesn’t love an occasional sweet treat? Candy, cookies, or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up coffee drink are hard to pass up. Whether you’re team pumpkin spice or caramel apple, celebrate the season as you see fit, but do so in moderation.

Candy, baked goods, sugary drinks, and even cocktails are hard to resist, but a few habits go a long way for gum disease prevention:

• Brush after sugary treats and drinks.
• If you can’t brush, rinse with water right away, and brush when you can.
• Eat your treat with a meal. More saliva helps wash away food particles, limiting your mouth’s exposure to sugary substances. Saliva also neutralizes harmful acids.
• Avoid sticky, chewy treats that cling to your teeth and feed plaque bacteria.
• Sip your drinks through a straw to avoid pooling at the gumline.
  
  

5. Stay Hydrated to Support Saliva Production

Your oral health and gum disease prevention depend on you staying hydrated. A well-hydrated mouth produces saliva that washes away food particles and neutralizes acid. Keep water nearby when you travel, work, or socialize. Water is the key. Avoid sugary drinks, coffee, and tea, which contribute to dehydration.

6. Know the Early Warning Signs

Wondering what gum disease looks like? Here are the early warning signs:

• Bleeding: Spitting blood after brushing or flossing.
• Swelling: Gums that are puffy and swollen instead of firm and pink.
• Discomfort: Tenderness or pain when brushing, flossing, or even eating.
  
  

These common symptoms are highly treatable. If any last longer than a week or two, schedule a check-up with Gentle Dental.

7. Keep Up With Regular Dental Cleanings

Wondering how to improve gum health and ensure you’re doing all you can to prevent gum disease? Of everything on our list, regular dental cleanings matter most. It’s that simple. Why? Professional cleanings remove hardened plaque and tartar that you can’t address at home. Make it a point to reach out and schedule a cleaning before you get too busy in the upcoming months.

Give Your Gums a Fresh Start With Gentle Dental

The best way to prevent gum disease year-round is by pairing small daily habits with regular dental cleanings. Brush twice daily and floss regularly, using mouthwash to support your routine. Enjoy sugary treats in moderation, stay hydrated, and know the symptoms of early gum disease.

Most of all, schedule regular cleanings with your local dentist. If you notice any signs or have concerns about your gum health, reach out to Gentle Dental. Our preventative care and periodontal team is here to help. Schedule your dental cleaning or periodontal check-up before the New Year starts.