5 Tips to Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums This Summer

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Maintaining healthy teeth and gums helps you maintain a healthy smile. Tooth care changes throughout the year. In summer, it’s important to keep up with your regular oral hygiene routine even as you go on vacations and visit friends and family. Your dentist in Lyndhurst, OH, can help you with this. The following five tips can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Keep Up With Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Brush your teeth twice per day, for two minutes each time. Use a soft bristle toothbrush. Do this no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Remember to pack all the tools to keep up with your oral hygiene routine, even on vacation. Don’t forget the toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, or mouthwash!

2. Stay Hydrated

Hot sun and outdoor activities can be dehydrating. To keep up with your tooth care, drink plenty of water everywhere you go this summer.

Why is this important? Hydration is important for producing saliva that washes away food and bacteria from your teeth after you eat. Men need to drink about 15.5 cups of water each day, while women need to drink about 11.5 cups of water each day. If you have difficulty keeping up with water consumption throughout the day, bring a water bottle with you everywhere you go.

3. Don’t Chew Ice

Ice can be hard on your teeth, and if you have dental appliances like a crown or an implant, chewing on ice can cause your dental appliance to break. Avoid chewing ice. If you like putting ice in your mouth, suck on it to let it melt in your mouth slowly.

4. Limit Sugary Drinks and Snacks

When you go to barbecues and outdoor events, you’ll encounter a lot of sugary drinks and snacks this summer. Sugar consumption can cause cavities and other dental problems. Limit your consumption of ice cream, soda, and other sugary foods.

5. Keep Your Normal Dental Appointment

Is summer a time when you usually see the dentist? If so, keep your appointment. It’s important to get dental checkups in Lyndhurst, OH, every six months. Call today to get your dental appointment on the schedule.

Why Are My Gums Receding?

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Your gums play an important role in your oral health and hygiene. Unfortunately, gums can be delicate and are vulnerable to damage throughout your lifetime. As you age, you may notice your gums receding.

Many things can cause gums to recede, including gum disease, injury, and age. Your dentist in Lyndhurst, OH can help. While gum recession is a common problem, there are many things you can do to help control it and protect your teeth. This is what you need to know.

 

Why Are My Gums Receding?

Gums recede for many reasons. Some examples of why gums recede include:

  • Smoking. Smoking can damage your oral health and put your gums at risk of recession.
  • Bruxism. If you grind your teeth at night, your gums may sustain damage that causes recession.
  • Gum disease and poor oral health. Gum disease is a common cause of gum recession, and if left untreated, can lead to severe gum recession and bone loss.
  • Hard bristles and hard brushing. You don’t need to brush your teeth hard, nor do you need hard bristles on your toothbrush. Either of these can wear on your gums and may cause recession over time.
  • Genetics. Some people naturally experience gum recession more and faster than others.

Why Are Gums Important?

Your gums help keep your teeth in place. When your gums recede, this can lead to loss of jaw bone, which in turn can lead your teeth to become loose and fall out.

 

What Can I Do About Gum Recession?

Once your gums have receded, they can’t grow back. Your dentist may be able to treat severe gum recession with a gum graft. In addition, if your gums have receded, it’s important to slow the recession as much as possible. Work with your dentist to determine why your gums are receding and address the issue together.

 

Can Gum Recession Be Prevented?

Your dentist can help you avoid gum recession through good dental care. The best way to avoid problems and maintain good oral health is to see your dentist for regular dental exams and cleanings in Lyndhurst, OH. Call Lyndhurst Family Dental today to make an appointment.