Santa Monica Dentist Explains The Basics Of Maintaining Optimal Gum Health

Written by Dr. Follette on Nov 22, 2016

Your gum tissue is a foundational part of your smile. In order to keep your teeth healthy and intact for as long as possible, you need to take the time to care for your gums.

In this short article our Santa Monica dentists are giving you more information about how to properly care for your gums day to day.

The first thing to do is, obviously, to follow all of your dentist’s instructions regarding brushing and flossing. Most people should be brushing their smiles twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed—and flossing every night. Our dental team will let you know if you should follow a different routine.

In order to protect your gum tissue, please use floss to dislodge any dental debris that may have accumulated throughout the day. Using abrasive toothpicks can actually damage your gums and leave your oral tissues at risk of becoming infected.

It is also very important to stay hydrated throughout the day so that your body is able to produce plenty of saliva. Saliva naturally works to neutralize harmful oral bacteria, so you want to empower your body to stay healthy. Dry mouth is one of the primary contributing factors to gum disease and chronic bad breath.

Finally, it is crucial that you seek prompt treatment for emerging gum health problems before they become more serious. Periodontal disease begins as a mild infection called gingivitis, and at this stage the infection is easily treatable and reversible. If left untreated, gingivitis will intensify and possibly spread throughout the smile. So talk to your dentist as soon as you notice swollen/red gum tissue, bleeding gums, or persistent bad breath.

Please feel free to contact our Santa Monica dentists to learn more about preventive and restorative treatments for gum disease. We are here to help!