Your smile is usually the first thing people notice about you. And behind every smile lies a crucial foundation: your gum health.
Not only is brushing your teeth an important step in your oral hygiene but taking care of your gums is also crucial. Neglecting your gums can lead to gum disease, tooth loss and even a decrease in your well-being.
Fortunately, you can take steps to ensure your gums stay healthy. Continue reading to learn how to improve your gum health to ensure a strong, vibrant smile.
Improving Gum Health with Natural Teeth
When it comes to your oral health, it’s not all about how straight or white your teeth are; your gums play an important role, too!
Whether you’re cavity-free or have the whitest teeth, it doesn’t automatically make you immune to gum disease.
Gum disease can come in two forms: early and advanced. Gingivitis is early gum disease and occurs when plaque builds up on your teeth along the gum line.
Common symptoms of gingivitis include bleeding or swollen gums. If gingivitis is left untreated, the plaque bacteria release toxins causing chronic irritation and inflammation of the gums. This damages the gum tissue and bone that keep the teeth in place, resulting in advanced gum disease called periodontitis.
Periodontitis is advanced gum disease and occurs when serious gum infection damages the soft tissue around the teeth. This type of gum disease can lead to tooth loss as the bone that supports teeth is damaged and lost. You may be asking if gum disease isn’t treated, can it lead to other health issues? If not treated, it can also lead to heart and lung diseases. Periodontitis is common among people with poor oral hygiene but can be prevented; however, it is not irreversible like gingivitis.
So, what are the ways you can maintain and improve gum health with natural teeth to prevent you from developing gum disease?
1. Brush twice a day
Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important things to do to protect your teeth, gums and overall health.
Brushing your teeth helps to remove the food and plaque trapped between your teeth and your gums. Make sure to scrape your tongue, as it can harbour bacteria.
Ensure that your toothbrush has soft bristles and that you change your toothbrush every three to four months.
2. Floss every day
While flossing is an important part of maintaining oral hygiene, 75% of people rarely or never floss in Australia.
Flossing takes brushing your teeth that extra step, as floss can remove plaque and food that your toothbrush can’t.
3. Get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months
The best way for your dentist to detect early signs of gum disease is if you see them regularly. This is why getting your teeth professionally cleaned every six months is so important.
When you visit your dentist for a cleaning, they have specialised equipment to remove tartar buildup around the teeth and under the gums. The cleaning can also eliminate any plaque you missed when brushing or flossing. Regular cleaning is one of the best ways to maintain gum health and prevent gum disease.
4. Quit smoking
Smoking is not only bad for your lungs; if you’re a smoker, you are twice as likely to develop gum disease as a non-smoker.
Since smoking also weakens your immune system, it makes it harder for your body to fight off a gum infection.
Therefore, if you want to protect your teeth, gums and overall health, one of the best things to do is quit smoking.
5. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste
If you still have your natural teeth, one of the best ways to maintain them and your gums is to brush with fluoride toothpaste.
Dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste as it prevents tooth decay and strengthens the tooth enamel.
Although fluoride toothpaste doesn’t directly treat gum disease, it can prevent its progression if you show signs of early gum disease.
6. Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash
Alongside brushing and flossing, using antibacterial mouthwash is a great way to maintain and improve your gum health.
As well as making your breath smell minty fresh, rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can help reduce bacteria in your mouth and prevent gum disease.
Maintaining Gum Health with All-on-4® Teeth
If you have lost nearly or all of your teeth and are looking for a way to maintain your gum health, the All-on-4® treatment may be your solution.
The All-on-4® treatment is a dental restoration treatment that provides a long-term, fixed alternative to dentures. All-on-4® involves replacing all teeth to make room for the four new implants (on each jawbone) to support your new, natural-looking bridge of teeth.
So, how does the All-on-4® treatment work? At Next Smile Australia, we use the Malo Protocol, a two-bridge treatment process to provide you with new teeth.
In stage one of the treatment, your dental implants are placed into the jawbone. You’ll then be fitted with your first set of teeth, a ‘provisional bridge’ within 24 hours of your dental implant surgery. The provisional bridge is left in place for three to six months while your jawbone heals. You are ready for stage two once your bone has fused to the titanium implants. Stage two of the Malo Protocol involves fitting your long-lasting teeth, the ‘final bridge’.
Since it’s such a significant investment, you must be a candidate for the All-on-4® treatment. And, if you have advanced gum disease, you could be a candidate.
Although All-on-4® teeth don’t decay like natural teeth, you must maintain them and your gums to ensure longevity. Some of the ways to maintain your gum health with All-on-4® teeth include
- Brushing your teeth twice a day
- Flossing every day
- Using antibacterial mouthwash
- Seeing your dentist every six months for a professional clean
Can I Get All-on-4® Dental Implants with Gum Disease?
Tooth loss from gum disease can be heartbreaking, but there is a solution.
You may wonder, can you get All-on-4® if you have gum disease? If you have gum disease, you may be a candidate for the All-on-4® treatment. At Next Smile Australia, we usually recommend the treatment to patients who have lost nearly or all of their teeth due to weakening of the jawbone due to gum disease.
Your Next Smile Australia dental surgeon will determine your eligibility for the All-on-4® treatment during your first consultation.
Book A Consultation at Next Smile Australia
Losing your teeth and your confidence due to gum disease can take a toll on your mental and oral health.
If you’re suffering from gum disease, the All-on-4® treatment is a practical solution as it not only gives you a new smile but also prevents further bone loss that is associated with advanced gum disease.
If you have lost some or all of your teeth due to gum disease and want to restore your smile, look no further than Next Smile Australia and the All-on-4® treatment.
To find out more about the All-on-4® treatment and how it could potentially help your situation, book an appointment with Next Smile Australia.