Who else remembers the time where we all sit in a straight line, beside the school’s drain and learn how to brush our teeth properly? We were so young and adorable, with our petite hands holding a toothbrush, and listening to the assisting nurse’s instructions. What a memory of our childhood. Maybe, our own child someday will have the same memory.
We all have been taught to take care of our teeth before we could even read. And commonly, we are bound to think that a healthy mouth is all about how straight our teeth are or how bright our smile is, when it’s not all that. Having both healthy teeth and gums play a vital role in our overall health so here’s how to maintain a healthy gums for a happy smile.
Floss Them
You heard the dentist, floss at least once a day! Brushing your teeth won’t eradicate that plaque or even the food that’s been stuck in between your teeth after you had brunch. Yikes! Imagine all the bacteria starting to build up there. Flossing should be a staple routine in oral care hygiene as it prevents a myriad of illness such as tartar buildup, heart disease, tooth decay, and halitosis. A few minutes of flossing with a long-lasting benefit, who could say no to that?
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
We all heard this sayings right. Did you know it also works for dentist? Eating an apple would cause a reaction from us chomping on an apple, that will stir a cleansing action that shakes up the plaque that clings onto our gums and teeth. However, eating too much apple can be too acidic for your mouth so don’t forget to rinse with mouthwash afterwards. The rigid texture of crunchy food are known to help scrub away the tough stains and gives you that healthy gums.
Regular Checkups
One of the ways how to maintain a healthy gums for a happy smile is to do regular checkups. Yes we do said that apples keep the dentist away, but that doesn’t mean you have to. You need to get those gums in check regularly. Visiting the dentist periodically can prevent you from getting gum disease as your dentist are experts in detecting them and also treating the symptoms before it developed into a more serious illness. Gingivitis are treated as well as removal of plaques and tartar when you get a professional dental cleaning for that healthy gums.
Stop Smoking
One of the ways how to maintain a healthy gums for a happy smile is to stop smoking. Smoking has their everlasting effects on our health, doesn’t matter if you’re a avid smoker or a passive one. Smoking weakens our immune system and also prevents our body to fight off gum infections. The tobacco made for chewing or smoking leads to a rise in the rate of oral tissue damage. It does not only leaves a dark yellowish stains on our teeth, it also weakens them and overtime, would cause oral cancer. Stop smoking so you can keep a healthy gums.
Calcium!
Stock up on your daily calcium intake for that healthy gums for a happy smile. Dairy food such as milk, yogurt, cheese, tofu and many others are fully packed with bone-fortifying calcium as well as protein casein which reduces the acid levels in our mouth. Calcium also helps in building strong bones and also teeth. Drinking milk as it own, on one side, gives a larger benefit compared to consuming it with cereal or dessert.
Leafy Greens
Remember kids (and adults), eat your greens! These leafy veggies are packed with abundance of health benefits for our body and also, you guessed it, our gums and teeth. Leafy greens are shown to be a great medium in keeping our mouths extra clean as they are rich in fibre which requires more chewing. The extra saliva by chewing stringy foods like raw spinach, celery and even cooked beans, neutralize the bacterias in our mouth preventing the formation of plaques.
Brush Twice a Day
Every dentist, and even your own mother constantly tell you this while you’re growing up. Brush your teeth! The recommended times to brush your teeth is twice a day – one in the morning, one before bed. Better yet, brush after every meal as it helps clear out food and plaque between your teeth and gum. Make sure to scrub your tongue too as most people overlooked that forgotten part of oral hygiene, that harbors bacteria. Brushing your teeth is way how to maintain a healthy gums for a happy smile.
Fluoride Toothpaste is a Yay
Look out for fluoride content the next time you went for a toothpaste shopping as it is how to maintain a healthy gums for a happy smile. You don’t wanna miss out on its benefits for a healthy gums. It’s a great ingredient in our toothpaste as it functions as a protection against tooth decay. Fluoride builds an invisible layer of protection over your teeth which resist plaques buildup and also block the deteriorating effects of sugar towards our teeth like tooth decay and few others.
Change Toothbrush
How to maintain a healthy gums for a happy smile? Change your toothbrush! Take a time and check at your toothbrush bristles. Are they still good, or the bristles are already starting to fray? If it’s the latter, consider to get a change of toothbrush. Frayed toothbrush are less effective at removing plaques from our gums and teeth. You can also change to a new toothbrush every three months or so. If not, consider an electric toothbrush or battery-powered ones as they can help reduce gingivitis and plaque better compared to manual brushing.
Gargle Therapeutic Mouthwash
If you feel like brushing your teeth and eating all those suggested food are not enough, get yourself a mouthwash. You can easily purchase one at any local drugstores similarly as Watsons, Guardians, pharmacies and even supermarket. Gargling a therapeutic mouthwash as an additional oral care will help you rinse off food particles and debris from your mouth. Fair reminder, mouthwash is not a substitute for flossing or brushing to maintain healthy gums.
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