Pink gums are healthy gums. To achieve healthy pink gums, care is needed just like hair or skin. This article explains how to create and maintain healthy gums with regular dental hygiene care.
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Part 1 of 4: Brushing Teeth
Step 1. Choose the right toothpaste
Choosing cheap toothpaste in order to save money may be tempting. However, if you want to improve gum health, choose a toothpaste that is specifically designed to treat gums. Spend a little more money to buy a toothpaste that is specially formulated for healthy gums.
Step 2. Use a good toothbrush
Always choose a toothbrush that has the American Dental Association's seal of approval on the package. There are many options to consider when choosing a toothbrush. What kind of toothbrush should you choose: hard or soft, regular or electric?
- Choose a toothbrush with a size that is not too difficult to move throughout the mouth.
- Do not choose a hard-bristled toothbrush, because it can damage the gums. It is preferable to use a soft or medium-bristled toothbrush.
- Look for a toothbrush with rounded bristles.
- Research has shown that the only electric toothbrush that is slightly better than a regular toothbrush is the “oscillating rotational toothbrush,” which means the bristles move in a circular motion and back and forth simultaneously.
Step 3. Brush your teeth before eating at least twice a day
Despite the traditional rule of brushing your teeth after eating to remove food debris, dentists recommend brushing your teeth before eating, as removing plaque is more important than removing food residue. Brushing your teeth after eating actually prevents tooth and gum damage that can occur due to the spread and scrubbing of acids from food throughout the mouth.
Although twice a day is the minimum, it is recommended to brush your teeth three times a day to optimize oral health
Step 4. Brush your teeth for at least two minutes
Most people don't brush their teeth long enough to really keep their teeth and gums clean. Divide the mouth into four parts: top left, top right, bottom left, and bottom right. Rub each section for at least 30 seconds to make sure the scrubbing is long enough and covers the entire mouth.
Step 5. Don't brush your teeth too often or hard
Brushing your teeth more than three times a day every day, or applying too much pressure when brushing your teeth, can actually damage your gums and teeth. Dentists refer to this as “toothbrush abrasion,” which can lead to gum recession as well as tooth enamel damage, which in turn can lead to tooth sensitivity.
If using an electric toothbrush, let the brush do its own thing. Don't put extra pressure on it
Step 6. Use proper brushing technique
Maybe you think the way you brush your teeth is correct just because you brush your teeth. However, there is a right way and a wrong way when it comes to brushing your teeth.
- Position the toothbrush at a 45° angle to the gum line.
- The length of the brush stroke should be as long as the height of one tooth.
- Rub gently but firmly.
- Too much pressure can cause erosion of tooth enamel and gum recession.
- Clean the inner surface of the teeth in an up and down motion.
- Remember, also rub the surface of the tongue.
Step 7. Replace the toothbrush with a new one regularly
The bristles of the brush will become increasingly damaged and ineffective, as well as being a breeding ground for various types of oral bacteria. So, replace your toothbrush with a new one regularly. Dentists recommend changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
Part 2 of 4: Using Dental Floss
Step 1. Use any type of dental floss
There are many types of dental floss available in the dental hygienist section of your store, from nylon to single-filament, and from unflavored to mint flavored. There is no big difference between all types of dental floss. Just choose whatever type feels most comfortable. Using dental floss regularly is more important than what type to use.
Step 2. Use dental floss at least once a day
Using dental floss may feel uncomfortable and sometimes disgusting, but it is not without reason that dental floss is recommended by dentists. Some people say that flossing is actually more important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums than brushing your teeth.
- While brushing your teeth too often can damage your gums, flossing too often doesn't cause any damage.
- Dental floss can be used any time-morning or evening, before or after meals. Just make sure you use dental floss at least once a day.
Step 3. Use dental floss with the correct technique
The American Dental Association provides specific guidelines on how to perfect your flossing technique.
- Use dental floss about 45 cm, and secure it to the fingers by wrapping the floss around the middle finger of each hand.
- Make sure the blood flow to the fingertips is not blocked. Unwrap and rewind, if necessary, throughout the process of flossing.
- Hold the dental floss between your index finger and thumb for stability.
- Use a back and forth sawing motion to slip the floss between your teeth, all the way to your gums.
- Don't jerk the floss hard against the gums as this can be painful and, over time, cause gum damage.
- Loop the floss into a “C” shape on the sides of the teeth.
- Gently and slowly, move the dental floss up and down along the height of the teeth.
- Use dental floss on all teeth, including those hard to reach at the back of the mouth.
- Use dental floss on both sides of each tooth.
Step 4. Keep flossing even when your gums bleed
If you don't do this regularly, there may be blood on the floss when you start flossing. That's not a sign to stop flossing! On the other hand, bleeding gums are caused by never or rarely using dental floss! Using dental floss daily helps stop bleeding over time, as well as improving, not damaging, gum health.
Part 3 of 4: Using Mouthwash
Step 1. Choose the right mouthwash
Mouthwash is an important product, because brushing and flossing only cleans the teeth and gums. Mouthwash can clean all the rest of the mouth-cheeks, tongue, and other exposed surfaces that need cleaning, to keep your gums healthy. Choose a mouthwash in a package that has the American Dental Associations seal of approval.
- Opt for a therapeutic mouthwash specially formulated to keep your gums healthy, instead of a cosmetic mouthwash specifically designed to temporarily freshen your breath.
- Don't use alcohol-based mouthwashes, which can dry out the skin and, over time, cause sores.
Step 2. Use homemade mouthwash
Studies have shown that turmeric can treat gum diseases, such as gingivitis, as well as commercial mouthwashes.
- Dissolve 10 mg of turmeric extract in 105 ml of hot water.
- Let stand until the solution reaches a drinkable temperature.
- Other alternatives to commercial mouthwash include cinnamon, fennel, ginger, lemon essential oil, tea tree oil, raw honey, and others.
Step 3. Use mouthwash with the correct technique
Read the instructions on the package before use, as specially formulated mouthwashes may have different recommendations on how long to rinse mouthwash in the mouth, or whether or not mouthwash should be diluted.
- If the directions on the package suggest a dilution of the product, follow the dilution instructions properly. Use warm water.
- Put the mouthwash in your mouth, and swish it all over your mouth for 30-60 seconds.
- Swish it down the back of your throat for 30-60 minutes.
- Spit it into the sink.
- Wash your mouth with water.
Step 4. Do not use mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth
Gargling with mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth can actually eliminate many of the benefits of brushing your teeth. For best results, use mouthwash before or at least half an hour after brushing your teeth.
Part 4 of 4: Seeking Professional Medical Care
Step 1. Check with the dentist regularly
Even if you take good care of your teeth and mouth at home, there are certain things-like removing plaque buildup-that you simply can't do at home. A visit to the dentist's office should be made for these aspects of dental and gum health.
- How often visits to the dentist are necessary depends on each person's needs, but at least once a year.
- Your dentist will suggest when you should return for your next check-up.
Step 2. Seek medical help immediately if needed
There are many problems that require you to seek professional medical help. However, the main symptoms of gum disease include:
- Swollen or red gums
- excessive bleeding; exceeds the normal amount that occurs when just starting to use dental floss regularly
- loose teeth
- Thin gums
- Chronic bad breath or bad taste in the mouth
Step 3. Find a good dentist
The American Dental Association provides a search tool to help you find the nearest ADA member dentist. The ADA also recommends the following steps to find a good dentist in your area:
- Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and coworkers.
- Ask your doctor for recommendations.
- If you are moving to another city, ask your current dentist, or his staff, to help you choose a good dentist in your new city.
Step 4. Know which dentists are in your healthcare network
Visit the website, or contact your insurance company to find out which dentist can accept your insurance. If you have made a choice on a particular dentist, it is easier to get in touch with the dentist than with an insurance company. So ask your dentist to make an exception in accepting you as a patient.
Step 5. Find a low-cost dentist in your area
If you don't have health insurance, or if your insurance doesn't cover the cost of a dental check-up, find a low-cost dentist. The safest and best way to find a low-cost dentist is to find a clinic that is affiliated with a dental school. Such clinics often provide free services for children under 18 years of age and low-cost services for adults.
Check the website of the dentist association in your country to find a dental clinic at the nearest dental school
Tips
- Some people have dark gums due to excessive melanin pigmentation in the gum area. Dark-colored gums are usually owned by people of Africa or other dark skin descent, but it can happen to anyone. In those conditions, nothing is wrong; just take care of your oral health.
- If you believe your dark gums are caused by melanin, see a periodontist. Some periodontists may perform a procedure called 'gum melanin depigmentation', which is better known as 'gum bleaching'. This procedure uses a laser to permanently reduce the amount of melanin, giving the gums a pink color.
- Follow all instructions for proper dental and oral hygiene care. If you stray from time to time, that's okay; as long as it doesn't stop. Treatments that have been done so far may give good results progress, but then stop and return to their original condition.
Warning
- Don't brush your teeth too hard, as this can irritate the gums and turn red in color, as well as causing pain and possibly even bleeding. Brushing your teeth sideways can't reach between your teeth and can damage your gums and teeth. A small up and down motion with an accurate toothbrush is the best imitation of chewing motion, and nature will reward you with healthy pink gums!
- Never share a toothbrush with others. Maybe once in a while is okay, if you have to; but don't make it a habit.
