A beautiful smile starts with healthy teeth and gums! Your gums protect and stabilize your teeth, but they also play a key role in maintaining your overall health. Unhealthy gums can lead to periodontal disease, tooth loss, and even increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, gastrointestinal issues, and Alzheimer’s. But if you’re already experiencing symptoms of unhealthy gums, what can you do to improve your gum health quickly?
Let’s start by learning more about these symptoms of unhealthy gums, and then dive into the steps you can take to improve your gum healthy quickly!
Symptoms of unhealthy gums
Not sure if you have unhealthy gums? Or maybe your dental hygienist told you to start flossing more at your last teeth cleaning. It never hurts to learn more about your gum health too!
Here’s a few common symptoms of unhealthy gums or the start of gum disease:
- Swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Tender or painful gums
- Receding gum line
- Sensitive teeth
- Pain while chewing
- Loose teeth
- Persistent bad breath
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to be seen by a periodontist right away! Unhealthy gums are often caused by plaque build-up. This is because plaque irritates your gum tissue, leading to inflammation and, eventually, the hardening of plaque into tartar. Left untreated, unhealthy gums can escalate into gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, and progress into periodontitis—a severe gum infection that damages the bone that supports your teeth.
But the good news is that gum disease is entirely preventable and manageable with the right care!
How to Improve Gum Health Quickly
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, here are a few immediate steps to improve your gum health quickly:
- Brush and floss properly. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily are the keys to healthy gums. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to gently clean along your gumline (and all the surfaces of your teeth of course) and floss to remove plaque between your teeth.
- Do salt water rinses. A salt water rinse is a quick, natural remedy for reducing gum irritation. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water, swish it around your mouth for 10-15 seconds, and spit it out. This rinse helps kill harmful bacteria and soothes your gums.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash. Mouthwash with antibacterial properties helps reduce bacteria in the mouth, promoting healthier gums. Be sure to choose an alcohol-free formula to prevent further irritation to your gums.
- Try a turmeric paste. Turmeric powder has strong anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflamed gums. Mix a bit of turmeric with water to form a paste, apply it to your gums, leave it for 10 minutes, and then rinse. You can also eat turmeric-based dishes like turmeric chicken noodle soup or a turmeric yogurt dip.
- Schedule a professional teeth cleaning. A professional dental cleaning can remove plaque and tartar that you can’t reach with regular brushing and flossing alone. That means regular visits to your dentist and periodontist are essential to improving or maintaining your gum health.
How to strengthen gums naturally
Once you’ve taken these steps, there’s a few natural ways to strengthen your gums while you wait for your next periodontist appointment. Following these tips can also help you keep your gums healthy in the long run.
- Brush twice daily. Always brush your teeth after meals with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use gentle, circular motions to avoid irritating your gums.
- Floss once a day. Flossing helps remove debris and plaque from between your teeth and along the gumline, preventing inflammation and infections.
- Choose the right toothbrush. A toothbrush with a rounded head and soft bristles to minimize damage to delicate gum tissues.
- Use mouthwash regularly. An alcohol-free, antibacterial mouthwash helps reduce the bacteria that contribute to gum disease.
- Maintain a healthy diet. What you eat directly affects your gum health. After all, that’s where you get all your nutrients from! Try to stick with a diet that has plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These types of foods give your gums the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Food for Healthy Gums
Good nutrition plays a vital role in gum health. Here are some foods that can help:
- Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables like Apples, carrots, and leafy greens stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
- Vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, strawberries, and bell peppers strengthen your immune system and help repair gum tissue.
- Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese contain calcium and phosphorus, which helps fortify your teeth and gums.
- Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and can lower your risk of developing gum disease.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. These are found in salmon and walnuts. Omega-3s also reduce inflammation in your gums and help support your gum health overall.
Protect Your Gum Health with Regular Dental Care
Good gum health is important not only for a beautiful, healthy smile, but for your overall health. By taking steps to improve your gum health, choosing the right foods, and visiting your dentist and periodontist regularly, you can maintain strong, healthy gums for a lifetime!
If you’re experiencing any gum issues or are wondering “how to get healthy gums again,” don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced periodontists! We have convenient locations in Tampa and New Port Richey/Trinity, and we’d love to help your with all your periodontal needs.
Let’s restore your gum health and get you smiling again!
