Gum Hygiene – Home Care Tips from Your Carmel Dentist

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Do you ever have sore, bleeding gums?

Such symptoms are the first signs of early gum disease. Left untreated, you could end up with serious dental issues. 

Thankfully, with good gum hygiene, you can reverse the early stages of gum disease or arrest the disease if you’re in the more advanced stages. 

Why Taking Care of Your Gums is so Important 

Why do Dr. Alex Balaban and his dental team urge their patients to practice good gum hygiene? Because without it, you can experience: 

• Gum infections
• Loose teeth
• Tooth loss
• Bone loss
• Heart disease

Gum disease has also been linked to other serious diseases/conditions, such as: 

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Alzheimer’s
• Kidney disease
• Cancer
• Osteoporosis

Top 3 Gum Hygiene Tips from Your Carmel Dentist

One way to avoid major health problems and protect your oral health is to practice good gum hygiene. Here’s how to do that. 

1. Brush Twice a Day with an Electric Toothbrush

An electric toothbrush rotates faster than you can brush by hand, all while being gentle on your gums. The result: more plaque is removed, and you’ll reduce your risk of gum recession from over-brushing.

2. Floss at Least Once a Day

Thoroughly floss once a day (at least) using the C-shaped flossing technique to make sure you get below the gum line. If you don’t have the dexterity to use floss, invest in floss aids. Your Carmel dentist can recommend the ones that will work best for you. 

3. Invest in Regular Dental Cleanings 

Over time, plaque will calcify and turn into tartar, which can’t be removed with anything but dental instruments. Your dental team can clean below the gum line and help you prevent, reverse, or arrest gum disease. Depending on your needs, you may need to come in for a cleaning every three, four, or six months. 

Take Care of Your Gums Now and Protect Your Teeth for Years to Come

It’s easy to think you’re destined for dentures by the time you reach a certain age – but that doesn’t have to be the case. If you take good care of your teeth and gums now, you can keep most (if not all) of your teeth for a lifetime. 

Do you have sore gums or experience bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth? You could have early-stage gum disease. Contact our office at 317-575-1995 to schedule a dental exam and cleaning.

Posted In: Dental Visit Cleaning Healthy Gums Gums Swollen Gums Sore Gums Oral Hygiene