Maintaining the well-being of your gums is essential to keeping your smile healthy and whole. Though periodontal disease can be treated if caught early on, at its most severe stage, advanced periodontitis, it can cause tooth loss.

Dr. Stephen Paul and his team strive to educate patients on the importance of caring for each part of the smile. Below are some tips on how to maintain your gum health at home.

Brush Twice Daily

By brushing twice a day, you clean both your teeth and gums. Brushing in the morning and night reduces the amount of bacteria on the teeth and along the gum line. This prevents the build-up of plaque, which if left unattended, causes decay and gum disease.

Floss After Meal and At Least Once a Day

It’s important to be thorough when removing left-over debris and plaque. As a majority of the tooth’s surface lies between teeth, flossing regularly, at least once a day, is a proactive step in caring for your gum health.

Flossing after meals ensures no leftover food is kept between teeth and underneath the gum line. When flossing, use a waxed string and guide it gently between teeth, turn the string into a c-shape use a sawing motion to correctly cleanse the crevasses of the tooth.

Rinse with ADA-Approved Mouthwash

Brushing and flossing should be staples in everyone’s at-home oral care routine. However, finishing with an antiseptic mouthwash safeguards your efforts in keeping your smile healthy. There are a variety of mouthwashes available at your local drug store, but choose those with anti-plaque or anti-gingivitis properties to help flush away gum disease-causing bacteria.

Massage your Gums

Whether you’re suffering from gingivitis or have tooth sensitivity, massaging your gums supports the healing process. This step breaks up any tissue or bacteria that is causing you pain. Massage with your pointer finger by pressing slightly and in a circular motion. You should feel tension but not any pain during this process.