Am I Taking Proper Care of My Gums?

While your teeth probably get most of the credit for your smile, your gums do a lot of work to keep your grin gorgeous as well. Sadly, many people don’t take proper care of them because they aren’t aware of how their habits can injure them or set them up for infections that may require the attention of a qualified dentist to be resolved. Here’s a brief list of bad habits that can cause your gums to recede or become irritated.

Brushing Too Hard

While you may think that brushing hard might help you achieve a better clean, doing it too aggressively can irritate your gums and set them up for future infections. It’s best to use short, gentle circular strokes to brush your teeth for two minutes at a time while taking care to thoroughly clean all of their surfaces and crannies. It’s best to use soft-bristled toothbrushes to clear away plaque and food debris without injuring the gum tissue.

Poor Flossing Technique

While daily flossing is essential to maintaining your oral health, flossing too hard can cause significant gum injuries. Using a lot of force or aggressive back-and-forth movements can irritate your gums or even make them bleed, which can lead to uncomfortable swelling. To protect your gums when flossing, take care to:

• Move the floss slowly and gently back and forth, up and down against the edges of your teeth.
• Gently floss around the base of each tooth, as this can eliminate plaque and food debris beneath your gumline.
• Avoid suddenly forcing floss between teeth, as this can cut or bruise your gums.
• If you aren’t a fan of traditional dental floss, try using a water flosser or floss plackers to clean between your teeth.

Poor Dietary Choices

What you eat can make a major difference in the health of your gums. Crunchy foods like hard candies or potato chips can scrape and irritate your gums as you chew while feeding the growth of harmful oral bacteria with their sugar and starch. If you absolutely must have an appetizing crunch in your diet, stick to healthy alternatives like celery, carrots, and apples. In fact, crunchy, snappy, and crisp fruits and veggies help keep your teeth clean by scrubbing away plaque while stimulating saliva flow.

While gum disease is unfortunately common, it is not inevitable. Being mindful about your habits can help you keep your gums in great shape for life.

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine at Tufts University and has studied extensively at prestigious institutes such as the Pankey Institute and the KOIS Center. She is also proud to hold memberships with the Texas Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health. Her office in Midland, TX offers general, restorative, and cosmetic dental services. To schedule your next exam and cleaning, contact her office online or dial (432) 570-4433.