10 Top Tips for Healthy Gums

Here at The Ivy Clinic in Teddington, our team of dentists are passionate about good oral health.

Here are their 10 Top Tips for Healthy Gums


We all know how important it is to look after our teeth but we should also be following tips for healthy gums.
Read on for some top tips;

1. Regular Checkups!
As you get older, oral hygiene is even more important, as it can mean the difference between having healthy gums and suffering from diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
With annual dental visits, your mouth undergoes regular monitoring and long- term problems can be prevented.
Furthermore, your dentist will give you good advice for healthy gums.

2. Hygiene
You should brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, morning and evening!
Most adults do not come close to this amount of time!
It is also a good idea to have a Hygiene appointment every 3 months, this will keep any hard scale at a minimum.

Here at The Ivy Clinic we have a fantastic Hygienist, called Esti, who will help to treat your gum problems.

3. Mouthwash!
One of the ways to keep gums healthy and your teeth in good condition is to regularly rinse with a mouthwash.
Although flossing will get rid of any excess debris around your teeth, a mouthwash can help kill germs and bacteria that can cause bad breath and also gum disease.

4. Healthy Diet!
There are so many reasons to eat correctly with a good balanced daily diet. Eating well not only helps your body, it is also one of the basic ways to keep gums healthy.
The warnings you are served up about sugary foods being bad for your teeth, apply to your gums too.

5. The Right Toothbrush!
One of the ways to keep gums healthy is by using the right toothbrush. Good quality electric toothbrushes really do give you the best method for both cleaning teeth and looking after your gums. They apply sufficient pressure for good cleaning but without the damage that a hard, rough bristle toothbrush can do.
If your gums bleed when you clean them, speak to your Dentist or Hygienist,  you may need to look at your toothbrush choice.

6. The Right Toothpaste!
Sensitive teeth may also mean sensitive gums. If you have sensitivity issues, choose a toothpaste with a gentle formula.
As well as brushing, you can rub the toothpaste directly on to any extra sensitive areas with your finger, and let it soak in.

7. Teeth Grinding!
If you wake up in the morning with jaw stiffness or headaches, it is often caused by grinding your teeth during the night.
This can become problematic and can cause issues for your gums as well as your teeth.
Speak to your dentist about it and they will give you good advice on how to handle the situation.

Our Principal Dentist at The Ivy Clinic, Dillon Chan, has won awards for his dentistry including the MDDUS prize for research into mouthguards.

8. Relax!
Bet you never thought that avoiding stress would be one of the tips for healthy gums. When you are stressed, it is not so easy to fight off infections, and that includes diseases like periodontal disease.

9. Give Up Smoking!
We can’t deny that smoking is bad for us, and along with all the other potential nasty side effects of smoking, you are at greater risk of periodontal disease and other dental problems.
Giving up those cigarettes is the best advice for healthy gums.

10. How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?
Change your toothbrush when it begins to show wear, or every three months.
It is also very important to change toothbrushes after you’ve had a cold, as the bristles can collect germs and lead to re-infection.

With proper care, your teeth and gums can stay healthy throughout your life.

The healthier your teeth and gums are, the less risk you have of tooth decay and gum disease.