Maintaining oral hygiene is a practice that keeps your gums strong and healthy. Healthy gums create a foundation for strong teeth. Several problems can arise if you neglect the health of your gums. Gum diseases such as gingivitis, periodontal disease, and other severe medical conditions can develop. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of the importance of having healthy gums and the appropriate care for gums.

Below are tips for healthy gums.

Healthy brushing

Brushing is a healthy habit that contributes to having a healthy mouth. It is recommended that you brush twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush by moving the toothbrush in a circular motion and short strokes back and forth. Brush gently below the gum line; it helps remove plaque formed on the surface of the gum. It is also essential to brush the tongue as it harbors bacteria. Brushing teeth using an electric toothbrush is more effective in the removal of plaque than manual brushing. It is necessary to have your toothbrush replaced every 3-4 months.

Floss daily

Good oral hygiene entails having a daily flossing routine. Flossing aids in removing food particles lodged between your teeth, where the toothbrush cannot reach. It is vital to pay attention to the teeth’s base to remove any plaque deposited along the gum line. Failure to floss can lead to the formation of tartar, a hard yellow substance that forms when plaque accumulates around the teeth. Tartar is known to cause gum diseases. Ensure you rinse your mouth after flossing.

Quit smoking

Smoking is a deteriorative practice that causes great harm to your gums. It increases the risk of developing gum diseases. Long-term use of tobacco can lead to sores’ development on the gums, oral cancer, and ulcers. Regular smokers are likely to have a weak immune system, making it difficult to fight gum infections.

Use antiseptic mouthwash

A mouthwash rinse is an oral hygiene practice with several benefits. It removes plaque formed on the teeth and prevents gum diseases. Besides that, it reduces the rate at which tartar builds up on your teeth. It is advisable to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash after brushing and flossing. Using a mouthwash should not substitute the hygiene practices of brushing and flossing.

Stay well-hydrated

Staying hydrated contributes to having a healthy mouth. Drinking water increases saliva production, which is vital in the lubrication of oral structures and tissues. Also, saliva rinses the mouth, stripping off food particles and debris, which reduces the formation of plaque.

The above tips for healthy gums will help you to improve and maintain good oral health. It is important to have dental checkups to examine the status of your gums. Visit Mountain View Dental for your dental needs. They have dental specialists that offer professional advice and service. You can call to book an appointment or ask questions.

Are you concerned about the color of your teeth? In this article, you will learn about the common causes of discoloration. This occurs when the dentine or enamel becomes stained or discolored. The good news is, the oral problem is preventable. When the teeth are discolored, you will notice stains on the enamel, ranging from white streaks to brown spots.

A dental expert can diagnose discoloration after conducting an examination. You may not know the statistics about stained teeth, but you care about how white your teeth are. Nowadays, a shiny smile is a social status symbol. As a result, the demand for whitening dental procedures and whitening products has been on the rise. Here are the six most common causes of tooth discoloration:

Dark Foods and Drinks

Consuming some dark foods and drinks increases the possibility of discoloration. If you notice stains on your teeth, acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits may be the causes. Although they’re rich in nutrients, the foods are likely to erode the enamel.

Coffee is also a common culprit for discoloration. When you drink coffee, use a to-go lid and not a straw. This will help you to prevent an acidic-environment situation that the drink causes.

Tobacco Use

This is one of the products that can stain your teeth within a short period. Your smile is usually the first thing people notice when you meet for the first time. As a result, nobody would want to have a stained smile. Regular smoking will make the teeth turn yellow or brown. The more you smoke, the more you increase the risk of teeth discoloration.

Medications and Diseases

Certain medical conditions and drugs can wear down or damage the enamel and increase the risk of staining. For example, diabetes, anemia, and oral cancer harm the health and appearance of the teeth. Studies have also shown that radiation and chemotherapy affect the color of the teeth. Some antibiotics have also been major causes of the oral problem.

Genetics

Some people are born with whiter teeth than others. Research has also shown that the shade may vary from one tooth to another. The natural tooth color depends on the structure and the density of the tissues that make them. Some people’s teeth are more prone to staining than others. This proves that some genetic factors affect the teeth color.

Trauma

This is one of the reasons for tooth discoloration that’s outside of your control. Some of the common causes of trauma include car accidents and falls. If the accidents occur, your teeth may turn dark due to the damage inside the teeth. Contact a dental professional to examine and monitor the trauma. Although you cannot avoid some accidents, you can take some precautionary measures such as wearing protective gear.

Exposure to Too Much Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that prevents cavities through mineralization and increasing the resistance of the enamel to acidic conditions. It is added to drinking water and a major ingredient in oral products. It’s recognized as one of the most effective products for promoting oral health. However, too much of it can discolor your smile.

Mountain View Dental Can Help

We have a team of experienced dental professionals who are always ready to serve our clients. You just need to visit our comfortable and professional office to get the help you need. After an examination, our dentists will recommend the best solution for discoloration. Contact us today!

When you think about your gums and teeth, you rarely compare them to your home and its foundation. However, they are similar. Just as the foundation gives your home strength, your gums do the same thing for your teeth. However, should your gums recede, problems can ensue. If you are wondering, “Can receding gums grow back?” we’ve got answers to your questions.

Signs of Gum Recession

If you suspect your gums may be receding, look for several things. To begin with, you may notice your teeth are looking longer than normal. Along with this, your gums may feel sensitive and be tender, swollen, or bleeding when you brush or floss. Finally, if you are experiencing recent problems with bad breath, this could also be associated with gum recession.

Causes of Gum Recession

Should you be experiencing gum recession, it could be due to one or a combination of several different things. While gum disease such as gingivitis, and poor oral hygiene practices such as failing to brush and floss regularly are the primary causes, gum recession can also be caused by brushing your teeth too hard or using a toothbrush with very strong bristles. Additionally, if you tend to grind your teeth, this can also be a primary cause, as can genetics, or if you have experienced a serious tooth or gum injury.

Will My Gums Grow Back?

As for the question of “Can receding gums grow back?”… the answer is no. Once your gums begin to recede, the cells within the gum tissue begin to die, leading to fewer and fewer cells that can regrow or regenerate. Thus, you wind up with receding gums.

What Treatments are Available?

While the problem of receding gums may sound dire, the good news is that there are treatments available that are proven to be very successful in most patients. One of the most common is scaling and root planing, which is a nonsurgical deep cleaning procedure. When this is done, your dentist will scrape away plaque and tartar from your teeth and gum line, allowing the healthy gum tissue to heal. Other treatments include a gum graft, a surgical procedure where tissue is transferred from your palate to your gum line to stop the additional recession, and gum veneers, which are dental appliances that can be used to cover up missing gum tissue.

Preventing Gum Recession

To prevent receding gums, brush your teeth twice daily with a soft-bristle toothbrush and also floss once per day. Along with this, try to avoid tobacco products, and also seek treatment if you have problems with teeth grinding. Last but not least, schedule regular checkups with your dentist.

Speaking of regular checkups, there’s no better time than now to schedule an appointment with us here at Mountain View Dental. With our comfortable office and friendly staff, we can make your visit pleasant and stress-free. If you have questions or want to schedule your appointment, visit us online or call us at 385-324-3557.

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