When it comes to personal care, a very important aspect of it is oral hygiene. The market is flooded with products for maintaining the hygiene of your mouth, however, we are here to talk particularly about gum hygiene. You might not know this but maintaining your gums is very important as the bacteria of any gum infection can travel to your entire body.
So let's start with how to maintain good gum hygiene! The basic and common hygiene practice for gums is obviously regular brushing of teeth but mind you, don’t be aggressive while doing that. American Dental Association advises using a toothbrush that has soft bristles and avoiding hard-bristled toothbrushes. Using hard-bristled toothbrushes can result in tooth sensitivity, gum erosion or permanent damage to the protective enamel on the teeth.
Another important practice is flossing which helps to remove bacteria from between the teeth where a toothbrush can't reach. Floss once a day to prevent bad breath and also to remove the food that has become tangled between your teeth. According to a clinical study, it is important to see a dentist every 6 months, this way you will get to know if you have any signs of cavities, gum disease, mouth cancer, or any other oral health issues.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have said, "Smoking is a risk factor for gum disease". Smoking not only affects your lungs but also affects the appearance of the mouth which leads to yellowing of the teeth and also bad breath odour. Mouthwashes can also be effective but they cannot switch brushing and flossing, they are just an addition to your oral hygiene regime. It can help with bad breath and also with dental problems. Also, whenever you’re thirsty, go for water and avoid sugary drinks as much as possible. Sugary drinks can lead to a higher risk of cavities.
Keep your gum hygiene in check by following the above practices and flex that beautiful smile!
