Top 12 Gum Care Mistakes That Could Lead to Serious Problems
Despite the fact that gums play a significant role in oral health, people don’t pay much attention to the disease until it becomes unrecoverable. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that around 47.2% of the adults above thirty years have periodontal disease hence leading to the need to maintain proper oral hygiene.
Read this article to learn about the twelve common mistakes in gum care to ensure that you are better placed to protect your smile and wellbeing.
1. Skipping Regular Dental Check Ups
Why It’s a Mistake:
Thus, even with careful brushing, plaque turns into a dense structure called tartar that can be removed only by a dentist. Failing to go for a dental cleaning every six months results in the formation of tartar that causes inflammation of the gums or periodontal diseases.
Solution:
Different dental check-ups should be made once every six months to ensure teeth are cleaned through and any disease detected at an early stage.
2. Brushing Too Aggressively
Why It’s a Mistake:
Scrubbing gums abrades teeth and wears the enamel off, leading to bleeding gums, exposed roots and the development of more cavities. A cross-sectional survey published in Journal of Periodontology in 2023 pointed toward an association between aggressive brushing and gum line abrasion of thirty percent.
Solution:
I therefore recommend that when brushing ones teeth especially the sensitive ones, one should use a soft bristled toothbrush and should brush in circular motions.
For teeth cleaning, there are electric brushes that have pressure sensors that enable the user to sense the force used on the teeth.
3. Neglecting Daily Flossing
Why It’s a Mistake:
According to ADA, flossing helps to remove 40% of the plaque between the teeth. Missing it means the lethal bacteria can grow and enlarge the inflammation of the gums.
Solution:
Floss once daily. But if you find it hard to use the normal thread floss, go for water flossers of interdental brushes instead.
4. Using the Wrong Toothbrush
Why It’s a Mistake:
Its brush heads are hard or large can harm the gums. The ADA suggest that the brush heads must be soft bristled so as not to harm the teeth and gums but be efficient enough to remove plaque.
Solution:
There are many soft bristled brushes so make sure you choose one that is ADA approved. Change it every 3 to 4 months or when the wires are frayed.
5. Ignoring Early Gum Disease Symptoms
Why It’s a Mistake:
If gingivitis progress to the next level one is likely to realize added symptoms which include bleeding, redness or swelling. Neglecting them results to the onset of periodontitis that erodes bones and tissues in the mouth area.
Solution:
If it continues, wash with salt water and seek the services of a dentist immediately.
6. Overusing Teeth Whitening Products
Why It’s a Mistake:
Unfortunately, store-bought whitening strips or gels containing high concentrations of peroxide can negatively impact the gums by making them sensitive or causing a chemical burn.
Solution:
Limit Whitening and go to the dentist 2 times a week and ask for safer options available.
7. high intake of sugars and acidic food and beverages
Why It’s a Mistake:
Sugar promotes growth of bad bacteria while acidic foods (such as oranges or soda) can actually dissolve the outer layer on the teeth and cause gum inflammation.
Solution:
Chop this food before consuming and then you should rinse your mouth with water. Create dietary pH neutrality with crunchy veggies, non fat dairy food items.
8. Smoking or Using Tobacco
Why It’s a Mistake:
Smoking affects blood circulation in the gums, hence, the healing process is slowed up and can introduce bacteria at the site of the wound. A person who smokes is also twice likely to have gum disease.
Treatment:
Take smoking cessation programs or nicotine replacement therapy or medicines to quit smoking.
9. Not Staying Hydrated
Why It’s a Mistake:
Xerostomia is when saliva is decreased and it does not neutralize the bacteria that cause OG. Medications or dehydration worsen this.
Solution:
Drink 8 glasses of water daily and chewing sugar free gums to aid saliva secretion.
10. Relying Solely on Mouthwash
Why It’s a Mistake:
Many people think that after rinsing their mouth with a mouthwash they clean off the plaque and tartar but this is not true. Alcohol based formulas can similarly harm gums curing to overusing them as well as they can dry the mucous membranes.
Solution:
Mouthwash should be used as an adjunct to brushing/flossing, not instead of it . Choose alcohol free, antibacterial options
11. Forgetting to Clean Your Tongue
Why It’s a Mistake:
Bacteria found on tongue surface and later move to the gum, leading to production of foul odor breath and gum inflammation.
Solution:
Use a tongue cleaner or your toothbrush to reach for the back of the tongue to remove the coating.
12. Delaying Toothbrush Replacement
Why It’s a Mistake:
The bristles of the toothbrush became brittle and convey bacteria and germs that do not clean the teeth properly.
Solution:
When to change your toothbrush depends on the frequency used and also when one has contracted illnesses such as cold and flu.
How to Prevent Gum Disease:
• Adopt the 2x2 Rule:
Brush twice daily for 2 minutes.
• Try Therapeutic Mouthwash:
After doing your research, seek ingredients such as cetylpyridinium chloride.
• Eat a Gum Friendly Diet:
Vitamin C containing fruits and vegetables like oranges, bell peppers help in improving the gum health.
• Manage Stress:
Stress is known to have an adverse effect of reducing the body immune system making gums vulnerable.
• Scaling Routine:
In severe cases, scaling and root planing (procedures that involve a deeper clean) or removal of affected tissue using LASER may be suggested by the dentist.
Conclusion: Prioritize Your Gum Health
Maintaining gums is one of the most important habits we will practice for our entire lives. Below, you will find twelve typical missteps that can be easily avoided to help you sidestep painful procedures and keep your oral health on track. You should also remember that gums are the first line of defense for your teeth the moment you neglect them, your oral health is doomed. Book an appointment with your dentist today and spread the word so people don’t have to suffer from severe gum issues.
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