In many ways, your gum tissue is truly the foundation of your smile. If these tissues become damaged or infected, you may experience a host of additional oral health problems down the road.
Today our Elmhurst gum disease dentists are sharing some simple and straightforward tips that you can put into practice to protect your smile. Let’s get started!
Drink more water
Try keeping a water bottle on hand so that you can track your water consumption throughout the day. When you are drinking plenty of water, your body is able to produce sufficient saliva to help re-mineralize your teeth. You can also start rinsing your mouth with water after eating or drinking something other than H20.
Floss regularly
The American Dental Association recommends that patients floss once a day. If you have phased flossing out of your daily routine, now is the time to start again! Our dental team also encourages you to use floss whenever you need to dislodge food particles or plaque from your smile. Floss is much less likely than metal or wooden toothpicks to cause gum or tooth damage.
Incorporate a mouth rinse
There are mouthwashes on the market to meet any dental need. Whether you want to kill oral bacteria, freshen your breath, or clear away plaque, mouth rinse can help you achieve your goals. Talk to your dental team about what type of formulation may be right for your smile. Mouth rinse can help you clear bacteria from those hard-to-reach spaces in your smile.
By perfecting your oral hygiene routine, you will help your body heal and repair your gum tissue. If your gums are already damaged, you may benefit from gum tissue grafts, which build up and repair diminished tissue.
To learn more about gum disease in general, and to schedule a consultation with our Elmhurst dentists, give our office a call!