5 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Gums

This post is in partnership with Crest. 

Over the past six months or so, I've written quite a few posts on dental health here at Bubby and Bean. It all started early last year after a visit to the dentist, where I was made aware of just how connected tooth, gum, and mouth health is to the overall health of your body. My mind was blown and I felt compelled to share. This is the last post in this series (although I hope to continue to talk about it here in the future as well, because it's incredibly important), so I've decided to go out with a bang and focus on an often overlooked but absolutely crucial part of maintaining a healthy mouth: our gums.

Through my own research and multiple conversations with my dentist, I have learned so much about how our gum health is just as important as the health of our teeth. Even if your teeth are in great shape and cavity-free, you can still get gum disease if your gums aren't properly cared for. I've learned quite a bit about the best ways to care for our gums in our daily routines, and today I'm sharing my tips with you!

1. Use a soft toothbrush.
I used to only use hard bristled brushes, thinking that harshly scrubbing was the best way to get my teeth and gums clean. Then my dentist informed me that doing that can actually damage my gums. Brushing with a soft toothbrush using a gentle massage is the truly the best way to keep gums in tip top shape.

2. Floss daily. 
Sure, we all floss occasionally. But you really need to do it every single day, at least one a day, no matter what. Flossing daily can help reduce your risk of developing gum disease by removing plaque between teeth and at the gum line. And once you start doing it regularly, it becomes a healthy habit. (I can't fall asleep without flossing anymore. True story.)

3. Use Crest Gum Detoxify toothpaste.
This is probably my all-time favorite toothpaste, both because my mouth and gums feel clean and healthy all day long when I use it, and because (in addition to helping prevent cavities in my teeth) it has active foam technology that goes around and even below the gum line to give me lasting gum protection. It also seeks out bacteria by penetrating hard to reach places. I've been using it, along with my other Crest pastes, for a year now, and have had perfect dental exams since. No cavities in sight! Crest Gum Detoxify and the importance of gum health was even recently mentioned on the Dr. Oz show. Love that! I use the Deep Clean variety, but it is also available in Extra Fresh, Gentle Whitening, and Two-Step, and is available right here at Walmart.

4. Avoid sugary and starchy foods. I know, they're delicious. But in excess, sweets and junk food are just as bad for our gums as they are for our teeth (and bodies!). Sugary and starchy food stick to our teeth, especially in between them and at the gum line. This creates an accumulation of plaque which can lead to gum disease. When I do eat these foods, I try to brush immediately after, or at least rinse my mouth with water.

5. Get regular dental cleanings. This is the first time I've suggested this in my entire mouth health series, because I assumed it was a given. But at my most recent dentist appointment last month, she told me more people than you'd think only come in once a year or even only every few years. It's crucial to health of your gums (and all of your mouth!) to see your dentist every 6 months to have a proper cleaning and removal of tartar. If you haven't been in a while, schedule an appointment today my friends!

I hope these tips prove helpful to you all, and I hope that you've been able to take some positive things away from my other posts in this series. If you have any tips for better gum health I might have missed, I'd love to hear them! Here's to a clean, healthy mouth!

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