How to Clean Gums and Teeth

Good oral hygiene can prevent cavities, tooth loss and heart disease.

Properly cleaning your teeth and gums daily will help preserve your appearance and general health. Good oral hygiene prevents cavities and gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss and serious health problems. According to Perio.org, the Web site of the American Academy of Periodontology, gum disease affects nearly 75 percent of Americans and is the leading cause of tooth loss. Infection from gum disease may also cause far more serious health risks. Researchers have found that people with gum disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease, a major cause of heart attacks. Additional studies have shown a relationship between periodontal disease and stroke. There is also a growing amount of evidence of links between the inflammation from gum disease and arthritis, diabetes, pregnancy problems, osteoporosis, and respiratory problems. Daily brushing and flossing are necessary for healthy teeth and gums.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Manual or electric toothbrush
• WaterPik (optional for those with no dental problems)
• Fluoride toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Germ killing mouthwash

1. Brush your teeth after every meal. brush teeth image by Marjan Veljanoski from Fotolia.com

   Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle at the gum line. Move the brush back and forth gently in tooth-wide strokes. To clean the inside surfaces of the teeth, use the bristles at the end of the brush with a gentle up and down movement. Brush the chewing surfaces of the teeth and the tongue.

2. Floss daily. Dental floss image by lefebvre_jonathan from Fotolia.com

   Wind the floss around the middle finger on each hand. Hold the floss tightly between the thumb and forefinger. Insert the floss gently between the teeth, and pull the floss alternately in the shape of a "C" toward the tooth on each side to remove tartar (plaque). Floss picks can be useful when you are on the go, but traditional floss is recommended by dentists because it can reach much more of the gum line. The American Dental Association urges everyone to floss their teeth daily.

3. Rinse with a germ-killing mouthwash.

4. Have a checkup and professional cleaning at least once a year. Dentist at work in dental room image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com

   Visit your dentist for a dental checkup and cleaning at least once a year. Some periodontists provide antibacterial treatments to treat gum disease. This type of treatment, pioneered by J. Slots, DDS of the University of Southern California, uses antibiotics targeted at the specific type of gum infection. Gum problems will recur without a routine of good oral hygiene.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice weight control and exercise regularly to help prevent gum disease. A study in the Journal of Periodontology shows that subjects who maintained a healthy weight and exercised frequently had less gum disease.

• If you are having repeated problems with your teeth, schedule a talk with your dentist. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't find solutions, research cutting edge treatments online. Ask your dentist or periodontist about them. If she doesn't help you make a plan to solve your dental problems, find a new dental practitioner. However, there is no substitute for daily cleaning of the teeth and gums.

References

• American Academy of Periodontology: Gum Disease Links to Heart Attack and Stroke
• American Academy of Periodontology: Stay in Shape for Healthy Teeth and Gums
• American Dental Association: Cleaning Your Teeth and gums
• University of Southern California School of Dentistry: antimicrobial Agents in Periodontal Therapy
• American Academy of Periodontology: Mouth-Body connection