Maintaining healthy gums and teeth is more than just about having a beautiful smile. It also affects your overall well-being, as poor dental hygiene can lead to various problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and even systemic infections. That’s why we’d like to share with you some tips that are essential in helping you take good care of your gums and teeth and your oral health.
At My Dentist at Morgan Creek, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality of dental care in a comfortable and friendly environment. We offer a full range of services for the whole family, from preventive dentistry to cosmetic dentistry, and everything in between. Whether you need a routine cleaning, a filling, a root canal, or a smile makeover, we have the expertise and the technology to meet your needs.
We will share with you 8 important tips for maintaining healthy gums and teeth, based on the latest research and best practices. By following these tips, you can prevent dental problems, improve your oral health, and enjoy a confident and radiant smile for life.
Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
You probably know this as one of the most important tips for maintaining healthy gums and teeth but it’s important to mention it in detail. Brushing your teeth is one of the most basic and effective ways to remove plaque and bacteria from your gums and teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that forms on your teeth after you eat or drink, and it can cause cavities, gum inflammation, and bad breath if left untreated. Bacteria in plaque can also produce acids that erode your tooth enamel and damage your gums.
To brush your teeth properly, you should use a dense high-quality soft-bristled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste, which can help strengthen your enamel and prevent decay. You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes, using gentle circular motions, and make sure to cover all surfaces of your teeth, including the front, back, and chewing sides. You should also brush your tongue, as it can harbour bacteria and cause bad breath.
You should brush your teeth twice a day, preferably in the morning and before bedtime. However, avoid brushing your teeth immediately after eating or drinking acidic foods or beverages, such as citrus fruits, soda, or wine, as this can weaken your enamel and make it more prone to erosion. Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth, or rinse your mouth with water after consuming acidic foods or drinks.
Floss Your Teeth Once a Day
Flossing your teeth is another important habit for keeping your gums and teeth healthy. Flossing can remove plaque and food particles that are stuck between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing can also stimulate your gums, reduce inflammation, and prevent gum disease.
You should floss your teeth once a day, preferably at night before brushing your teeth. To floss your teeth correctly, you should use about 18 inches (46 cm) of dental floss, and wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving about an inch (2.5 cm) of floss between them. You should then gently slide the floss between your teeth, using a back-and-forth motion, and curve it around the base of each tooth, making sure to go below the gum line. You should use a clean section of floss for each tooth, and avoid snapping or forcing the floss, as this can damage your gums.
If you find flossing difficult or uncomfortable, you can use other tools, such as interdental brushes, water flossers, or dental picks, to clean between your teeth. However, these tools may not be as effective as dental floss, and you should consult your dentist before using them.
Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash is a liquid that you swish around your mouth and spit out, usually after brushing and flossing your teeth. Mouthwash can help in several ways, such as:
- Reducing the amount of acid in your mouth, which can protect your enamel and prevent cavities.
- Cleaning hard-to-reach areas in your mouth, such as the back of your tongue, the roof of your mouth, and the spaces between your gums and teeth.
- Re-mineralizing your teeth, if the mouthwash contains fluoride, which can help repair early signs of decay and strengthen your enamel.
- Freshening your breath, by killing bacteria that cause bad odour and masking unpleasant smells.
However, mouthwash is not a substitute for brushing and flossing your teeth, and it should be used as an adjunct to your oral hygiene routine. You should also choose a mouthwash that is suitable for your needs and preferences.
You should follow the instructions on the label of the mouthwash, and use it as directed by your dentist. You should also avoid swallowing the mouthwash, as this can cause adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Visiting your dentist regularly is essential for maintaining healthy gums and teeth, as your dentist can perform professional cleanings, examinations, and treatments that can prevent or treat dental problems. Your dentist can also give you personalised advice and recommendations on how to improve your oral health and hygiene.
You should visit your dentist at least twice a year, or more often if you have specific dental issues or risk factors, such as:
- Smoking, which can stain your teeth, damage your gums, and increase the risk of oral cancer.
- Diabetes, which can affect your blood sugar levels, and make you more prone to infections and gum disease.
- Pregnancy, which can cause hormonal changes, and affect your gums and teeth.
- Medications, which can cause side effects, such as dry mouth, bleeding gums, or mouth ulcers.
- Braces, dental implants, dental crowns, or dentures, which can require special care and adjustments.
At My Dentist at Morgan Creek, we provide comprehensive dental care for the whole family, using the latest technology and techniques. We offer a wide range of services, such as:
- Dental cleanings, which can remove plaque and tartar from your gums and teeth, and polish your teeth to make them look brighter and smoother.
- Dental exams, which can detect any signs of decay, infection, or disease in your mouth, and provide you with a detailed report and treatment plan.
- Dental x-rays, which can show the condition of your teeth, roots, jaw, and bones, and reveal any hidden problems, such as cavities, abscesses, or fractures.
- Dental fillings, which can restore the shape and function of your teeth, and prevent further damage, by filling the holes or cracks caused by decay or trauma.
- Dental crowns, which can cover and protect your teeth, and improve their appearance, by placing a cap over the damaged or discoloured tooth.
- Dental bridges, which can replace one or more missing teeth, and restore your smile, by attaching artificial teeth to the adjacent natural teeth or implants.
- Dental implants, which can replace the roots of your missing teeth, and provide a stable and permanent foundation for artificial teeth, such as crowns, bridges, or dentures.
- Dental veneers, which can enhance the shape, size, colour, and alignment of your teeth, and create a flawless smile, by bonding thin shells of porcelain or composite resin to the front of your teeth.
- Teeth whitening, which can lighten the color of your teeth, and remove stains and discoloration, by applying a bleaching agent to your teeth, either in-office or at-home.
- Invisalign, which can straighten your teeth, and correct issues such as crowding, spacing, overbite, or underbite, by using a series of clear and removable aligners that fit over your teeth and gradually move them into the desired position.
We also offer emergency dental care, for cases such as toothache, broken tooth, knocked-out tooth, or dental infection. We will do our best to see you as soon as possible, and provide you with the necessary treatment and relief.
Avoid Smoking and Tobacco Products
Smoking and tobacco products are harmful to your oral health, as well as your general health therefore avoiding them is also among the tips we suggest to maintain healthy gums and teeth. Smoking and tobacco products can cause various problems, such as:
- Staining your teeth and tongue, and making them look yellow or brown.
- Damaging your gums and causing them to recede, exposing the roots of your teeth and making them sensitive or loose.
- Reducing the blood flow to your mouth and impairing its ability to heal, increasing the risk of infections and complications after dental procedures.
- Affecting your sense of taste and smell, and making your food and drinks less enjoyable.
- Causing bad breath, and making it difficult to get rid of it, even with good oral hygiene.
- Increasing the risk of oral cancer, which can affect your lips, tongue, cheeks, throat, or any other part of your mouth.
The best way to prevent these problems is to quit smoking and tobacco products, or avoid starting them in the first place. Quitting smoking and tobacco products can have immediate and long-term benefits for your oral health and overall health.
Limit Your Intake of Sugary and Acidic Foods and Drinks
Sugary and acidic foods and drinks can damage your gums and teeth, by causing tooth decay and erosion. Tooth decay is the process of bacteria in plaque producing acids that eat away your enamel and create holes or cavities in your teeth. Tooth erosion is the process of acids from foods and drinks wearing away your enamel and exposing the dentin, the softer layer underneath your enamel.
To prevent tooth decay and erosion, you should limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods and drinks, such as:
- Candy, chocolate, cookies, cakes, pastries, and other sweets, which can stick to your teeth and feed the bacteria in plaque.
- Soda, juice, sports drinks, energy drinks, and other sweetened beverages, which can contain high amounts of sugar and acid, and bathe your teeth in harmful substances.
- Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and limes, which can contain high amounts of acid, and erode your enamel.
- Vinegar, pickles, wine, and other fermented foods and drinks, which can contain high amounts of acid, and erode your enamel.
You should also avoid snacking frequently on sugary and acidic foods and drinks, as this can increase the exposure of your teeth to acids, and reduce the saliva production in your mouth, which can help neutralize the acids and wash away the sugar. Instead, you should eat balanced and nutritious meals, and drink plenty of water, which can help protect your gums and teeth, and support your overall health.
If you do consume sugary and acidic foods and drinks, you should follow these tips to minimize their impact on your gums and teeth:
- Rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking, to dilute the acids and sugar, and prevent them from sticking to your teeth.
- Chew sugar-free gum after eating or drinking, to stimulate the saliva production in your mouth, and neutralize the acids and wash away the sugar.
- Use a straw when drinking sugary and acidic beverages, to reduce the contact of the liquids with your teeth.
- Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating or drinking sugary and acidic foods and drinks, to avoid damaging your enamel, which can be softened by the acids.
At My Dentist at Morgan Creek, we can help you prevent and treat tooth decay and erosion, by providing you with dental sealants, fluoride treatments, fillings, crowns, or veneers, depending on the extent of the damage. We can also advise you on the best dietary choices and habits for your oral health and overall health.
Eat Foods That are Good for Your Teeth and Gums
While some foods and drinks can harm your gums and teeth, others can benefit them, by providing them with essential nutrients, strengthening them, and cleaning them. Some of the foods and drinks that are good for your gums and teeth are:
- Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yoghurt, which can provide calcium and phosphorus, which are minerals that can help re-mineralize your enamel and prevent decay. Dairy products can also lower the acidity in your mouth, and create a protective layer on your teeth.
- Crunchy fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, celery, and cucumbers, which can provide vitamins and antioxidants, which can support your immune system and fight infections. Crunchy fruits and vegetables can also act as natural toothbrushes, by scraping off plaque and food particles from your teeth and stimulating the saliva production in your mouth.
- Leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and lettuce, which can provide vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, and calcium, which can support your gum health and prevent bleeding and inflammation. Leafy greens can also help balance the pH in your mouth and prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds, which can provide protein, healthy fats, and minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc, which can strengthen your teeth and bones. Nuts and seeds can also help clean your teeth, by removing plaque and stains, and polishing your enamel.
- Water, which is the best drink for your oral health and overall health, as it can hydrate your body, flush out toxins, and prevent dry mouth. Water can also help rinse your mouth, and remove plaque and food particles from your gums and teeth.
At My Dentist at Morgan Creek, we can help you improve your oral health and overall health, by providing you with nutritional counseling, and recommending you the best foods and drinks for your gums and teeth. We can also monitor your oral health, and detect any signs of deficiency or imbalance, and provide you with the appropriate treatment and supplements.
Protect Your Teeth from Injuries
Your teeth are strong and durable, but they can also be vulnerable to injuries, such as cracks, chips, or breaks, caused by accidents, trauma, or sports. Injuries to your teeth can cause pain, sensitivity, infection, or tooth loss, and affect your appearance and function.
To protect your teeth from injuries, you should follow these tips:
- Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports, such as hockey, football, rugby, or boxing, or when engaging in activities that involve a risk of falling or hitting your mouth, such as skating, skiing, or biking. A mouthguard is a device that fits over your teeth, and cushions them from impact and damage. You can get a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist, which can offer the best fit and protection, or a ready-made mouthguard from a sports store, which can be cheaper and more convenient, but less effective and comfortable.
- Avoid biting or chewing on hard objects, such as ice, pens, pencils, or fingernails, which can crack or chip your teeth, or damage your enamel. You should also avoid using your teeth as tools, such as to open bottles, cans, or packages, which can cause injuries or fractures to your teeth.
- Be careful when eating foods that contain bones, seeds, pits, or shells, such as chicken, fish, cherries, or nuts, which can be hidden or hard to see, and can damage your teeth if you bite on them. You should also be careful when eating foods that are very hard or sticky, such as candy, popcorn, or caramel, which can pull out fillings, crowns, or braces, or cause cracks or cavities in your teeth.
Choose My Dentist At Morgan Creek as Your Family Dental Clinic in South Surrey / White Rock
The last and one of the most important tips for maintaining healthy gums and teeth is to choose My Dentist at Morgan Creek as your family dental clinic. We are a trusted family dental clinic in South Surrey / White Rock, BC. Our dental staff has the experience, the skills, and the passion to provide you with the highest quality of dental care and service.
At My Dentist at Morgan Creek, we offer:
- A comfortable and friendly environment, where you can feel relaxed and welcome, and enjoy our amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, TV, music, and refreshments.
- A caring and professional team, who will treat you with respect and compassion, and listen to your needs and concerns, and answer your questions and explain your options.
- A comprehensive and personalised approach, where we will assess your oral health and overall health, and design a treatment plan that suits your goals and budget, and deliver it with excellence and efficiency.
- The latest technology and equipment, which can enhance the quality and accuracy of our diagnosis and treatment, and reduce the pain and discomfort, and the time and cost, of your dental procedures.
- A wide range of services and specialties, which can cater to all your dental needs and ensure that you receive the best possible results and satisfaction.
We are also conveniently located at 15252 32 Ave #110, South Surrey, opposite Fire Service Hall 17 on 32nd Avenue, minutes away from Vancouver – Blaine Hwy. You can book an appointment with us online, or by phone at (604) 200-3847 and we will be happy to accommodate you and your family.
