Healthy Gums and Teeth in 2024: Top 7 Tips
Gum disease and tooth decay are becoming a global concern as the prevalence of periodontal issues continues to rise. Rising inflation and, therefore, treatment and insurance costs worsen this situation.
Prioritizing oral health is crucial for healthy gums and teeth. This is particularly true if you want to avoid these issues as you age.
We share some easy tips to help keep your mouth healthy. This will also help reduce any potential dental visits, although regular checkups are highly recommended. These include trends you can look forward to in 2024 and get a head start!
Revisit Flossing
Most people I know dislike flossing, but flossing prevents bad breath, slows plaque, and reduces gum disease. What if a gadget or invention could make this process somewhat bearable? Luckily, that’s exactly what this excellent range of Waterpik products does. They use a fine water jet to clean teeth and gums, reaching areas where traditional brushing and flossing can’t.
Waterpik claims significant improvements and efficiency in cleaning and removing plaque, as much as 3x compared to traditional string floss. An additional benefit is better and safer cleaning for those with implants. Waterpik offers products for all ages at competitive prices compared to leading brands. Finally, check out their Sonic-Fusion series for an all-in-one product that includes brushing and flossing.
Drink Smart
Did you know coffee and soft drinks can harm your teeth? They are both highly acidic and contain sugars, weakening tooth enamel. Left unchecked, this can lead to issues like sensitivity and plaque buildup, impacting overall tooth health.
The acidic environment makes the perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria that can lead to even more problems.
Choose fresh fruit juices, smoothies, or water to keep teeth and gums healthy. Use a straw with soft drinks to minimize contact with teeth. As always, it’s best to consume in moderation.
Eat Smart Too
As previously stated, the food you eat significantly impacts your oral and dental health. One food group you need to focus most on is sugar.
Sugar is one of the leading factors in tooth decay and gum disease. Sugar is present in most of the foods we eat, including fruit and milk. What can we do about it? The key here is quantity; Unprocessed foods contain less sugar than processed foods, where sugars are added for flavor enhancement. However, many added sugars are unnecessary and do nothing to add nutrition.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an average of 6 teaspoons of sugar per day for an adult. Look for the nutritional labeling on any supermarket foods to help you make healthier decisions when buying everyday household items. When we eat, our gums and teeth are in direct contact with sugar, so it’s crucial to minimize their exposure to harmful sugars by choosing low-sugar options. As with everything, balance is vital, so adhere to the recommended guidelines and your health practitioner’s advice.
Brushing Correctly
This time-tested practice is still one of the best ways to get rid of excess food particles and harmful substances off the surfaces of your tooth enamel and generally over your gums.
However, large segments of the population still brush incorrectly and way too little. The correct way to brush is twice a day and consistently for at least two minutes. Ensure you scrub your tongue, too! This gives enough coverage to minimize harmful buildup. Also, brushing too hard or using an inappropriate toothbrush can damage teeth and gums.
Choose the toothbrush type most suited to your teeth and gums. Finally, remember to pair brushing with flossing as often as possible.
Quit Smoking
The harmful effects of smoking are well known. However, smoking can worsen your periodontal problems. Also, smokers’ breath is a massive put-off for most people.
If you suffer from bleeding and sensitive gums and are experiencing tooth decay, then smoking could compound these problems. In fact, according to the CDC, smoking is a leading cause of severe gum disease in the United States.
It is beneficial to seek help in quitting smoking early, particularly if you notice red or swollen gums, teeth sensitivity, bleeding, and pain while chewing.
The more severe and advanced your gum disease, the more invasive and potentially expensive the procedure. Quitting smoking will benefit general health and wellness and help your teeth and gums heal quickly.
Get a Dental Cleanup
Even if you dislike regular dental cleanings, getting a professional opinion and checking on the condition of your teeth and gums is essential. A cleaning procedure is usually painless and can be quite therapeutic. Unless you have severe issues, you’ll feel much better afterward.
The best part is you will have a baseline and a clear path ahead on what to do and plan to keep your oral health in check. Doing this can also help avoid or at least plan for any unforeseen dental costs that may be headed your way.
Bonus Tip: Supplement Boost
Eating healthy can certainly not be underestimated in keeping the ‘gateway’ to your body clean and healthy. However, now and then, we often need a helping hand. As our bodies grow, depending on other factors, we may not get the nourishment we need, particularly some vitamins and minerals. This is where certain vitamins and supplements can come in handy.
The top recommended oral and dental health vitamins are Vitamin C, Calcium, Vitamin D, Phosphorus, and Vitamin A. While it is generally a good idea to focus on adopting a healthy, balanced diet, always check with a qualified health professional or your dentist about which vitamins you need.
ProDentim
Many brands and products are available, but for a well-balanced, all-natural formulation, I recommend ProDentim, a soft & easily soluble oral candy / chew that you can make part of your healthy oral routine. ProDentim is a top-rated product in the category, so it must work well for at least a few people! It works by repopulating super beneficial bacteria in your mouth that fight the bad ones and help protect and heal dental damage. ProDentim Review
Fort Bite
Another excellent option is FortBite, an all-natural volcanic mineral clay compound with a few other potent ingredients in the form of a powerful teeth powder (no pills to swallow). These ingredients work together to help you repair your gums and teeth and give you a potent dental detox. This solid alternative is well-backed by science and can easily be incorporated into a daily oral routine.
You can read about the fantastic benefits of volcanic clays for healthy gums and teeth below:
Benefits of Bentonite Clay for Gums & Teeth
Dentitox Pro
Finally, there’s Dentitox, an expertly crafted oral supplement unique in that it comes in a pleasant-tasting liquid dropper. It is specifically formulated with all-natural ingredients to provide necessary, remineralizing nutrients directly to your gums and teeth. Dentitox claims to help with bad breath, cavities, and gum disease. You can read our extensive review HERE.
Everyone should include a solid dental care strategy to maintain strong and healthy gums and teeth in their New Year’s resolutions. With rising dental costs, inflation, and the after-effects of COVID-19 still biting, you should consider adding some of these tips to your routine. So, let’s not ignore dental health as we head into the new year and look to starting strong. Try to have at least one checkup a year (if possible) and stick to the basics as firmly as possible.
