How Do You Strenghten Your Gums?

Do you often notice discomfort in your gums after brushing your teeth? Does flossing cause your gums to feel sensitive over an extended period? Both of these symptoms indicate that your gums may not be healthy. It's important to monitor these signs and, if necessary, consult your dentist. Here, we aim to clarify what constitutes healthy gums and how you can strengthen them.

What Characterizes Healthy Gums?

Healthy gums are soft pink, firm, and completely fill the spaces between the teeth. They do not show signs of irritation when touched or when brushing and hold the teeth securely in place. Numerous tiny suction cups are connected to the neck area of ​​the teeth, which block dental plaque from getting between the gums and teeth to the jawbone.

In contrast, gums that are not in good condition are red and swollen, with dental plaque sticking to the teeth, as explained in an article by the German Society for Periodontology

So how can you strenghthen healthy gums?

Oral Hygiene

This includes professional teeth cleaning to help remove dental plaque, which should be done twice a year. Regular check-ups at the dentist also detect gum and tooth problems at a stage when they are difficult for laypeople to detect. Optimal and regular oral hygiene at home is also crucial. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft or medium-hard toothbrush that should not be older than three months,an antibacterial toothpaste, and the right brushing technique are the foundation.

For the spaces between teeth and around implants and bridges, daily use of dental floss or interdental brushes is recommended to clean the 30 percent of the area that is not reached by the toothbrush. Cleaning the tongue is alao crucial for comprehensive oral hygiene, as plaque tend to accumulate in its numerous cervices on the rough surface. These tend to thrive in the environment as they do not need oxygen to multiply, contributing to bad breath and become difficult to remove without a special tongue scraper.

The final step involves using an antibacterial mouthwash to effectively combat plaque throughout the entire mouth.

Food for the Gums

Diet plays a significant role in maintaing healthy gums. Consuming anti-inflammatory foods can help protect against gum problems.To strenghten your gums, it's recommended to maintain a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, high-quality fats like omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, and spices such as ginger, turmeric, and chili.

What to Avoid

It is known that smoking promotes the development of gum problems, so reducing or quitting smoking altogether is advisable. Alcohol consumption can also negatively impact gums and oral flora. Therefore, it's nest to consume it in moderation.

Supporting Measures

Saliva naturally cleanses the mouth.Foods that require chewing, such as raw vegetables,fruits, bread and sugar-free chewing gum, stimulate saliva production. However, due to the fructose contained in fruit, it's important to brush your teeth after consumption. Oil pulling, a practice from Traditional Ayurvedic medicine, is believed to detoxify teeth and gums by removing plaque, although its effectiveness has not been fully supported by scientific evidence. Additionally, gentlly massaging the gums with your finger can help stimulate circulation in the gum tissue.