Your gums play a vital role in your oral health; they protect your teeth from decay and provide blood flow to your mouth. As you age, your gums can recede and weaken, putting your teeth in peril. Luckily, our Forest Lake Family Dental team has a few tips for you to follow at home to ensure that your gums remain healthy and strong.
#1 Brush and Floss Daily
Maybe this goes without being said, but brushing and flossing each day is the best way to protect your gums and prevent the need for professional gum disease treatment near you. While you should always use toothpaste, it may interest you to find out that even just the action of brushing without toothpaste is beneficial to your gums because it encourages blood flow. Flossing ensures that food particles don’t remain stuck between your teeth, where they can encourage infection and inflammation in your gums.
#2 Quit Smoking
We all know that smoking isn’t good for any part of our body, but smoking can be especially detrimental to your gums. Smoking weakens your immune system, and over time, it becomes a major risk factor for the development of gum disease and even worse conditions such as oral cancer. The longer you can abstain from smoking, the better.
#3 Use Mouthwash
While mouthwash isn’t a required part of your oral hygiene routine, our dentist in Forest Lake, MN, can recommend a mouthwash that will add to your brushing and flossing efforts. A good mouthwash is one that protects against plaque and gingivitis. It is best to find a mouthwash that contains fluoride.
#4 Gargle with Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a strong disinfectant. To do this safely, combine 3% hydrogen peroxide with half a cup of clean tap water. This can soothe swollen and tender gums and fight bacteria. Ensure that you do not swallow this mixture, however, as this is dangerous for your stomach.
#5 Use Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural healer that can also be used for gum disease treatment in Forest Lake. Turmeric is related to ginger and tastes similar to it as well. Applying turmeric to your gums can help reduce inflammation and stave off gum disease. Turmeric is antifungal and antimicrobial, so it is an excellent spice to add to your regular diet as well.
#6 Try Oil Pulling
Studies have shown that oil pulling can reduce plaque in individuals showing early signs of gum disease. Swish a tablespoon of coconut oil around in your mouth for about twenty minutes to use this method. This swishing action pulls the oils between your teeth. Once you spit the oil out, rinse your mouth with tap water and brush your teeth.
#7 Maintain a Healthy Diet
Your diet is important to all aspects of your health, including your oral health. Try to follow a diet that is high in calcium-rich foods and low in sugary foods and beverages.
Visit Forest Lake Family Dental
On top of all the tips provided above, you should also visit a dental clinic near you at least once every six months for a professional dental cleaning. If caught early, gum disease can be easily treated and even reversed. If it has been more than six months since your last dental visit, please do not hesitate to contact our team and book your appointment today!