5 Ways to Keep Your Gums Healthy This Fall

Fall is here, and with it comes a ton of fun. Football games, cozy outfits, hay rides, and pumpkin-flavored… everything!

With so many sweet treats around (Halloween candy and hot drinks top the list), it’s easy to forget about the health of your mouth — specifically, your gums. 

We tend to focus on the danger of cavities, but you can have zero cavities and still be in trouble with your gums if plaque (a sticky, film-like substance filled with bacteria) builds up along and under your gum line. It can cause infections that lead to gum disease, jawbone problems, and tooth decay.

To prevent this from happening, take proactive steps to maintain healthy gums this fall. Here are five ways you can do that, courtesy of Dr. Minh Nguyen and our expert team at Portrait Dental.

1. Maintain your oral hygiene routine

This is basic, but it’s the foundation of everything else. You can’t have healthy gums if you don’t brush and floss consistently. You also have to brush with purpose. Use gentle, circular motions with a soft-bristled brush along your gumline to eradicate plaque and bacteria.

Do this at least twice a day, and floss between your teeth at least once a day to reach where your brush can’t. Use a floss pick or water flosser if it’s easier for you — whatever helps you stay consistent.

2. Go easy on the sweets

The pumpkin spice lattes, caramel corn, and Halloween treats are calling your name. You don’t have to avoid them completely, but limit your consumption and opt for healthier alternatives (fruit and nuts) when you can. Rinse your mouth with water after eating sugary foods, and brush as soon after as you can to keep sugar from sitting on your teeth and gums for too long.

3. Watch out for dry mouth

As the air gets cooler, it also becomes drier, causing many people to experience dry mouth. Because saliva helps neutralize acids and wash away bacteria and food particles, a lack of it can be a problem. To combat this, drink plenty of water, use a humidifier at home to put moisture in the air, and try chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production.

4. Stop smoking

If you smoke, you have twice the risk of gum disease as a non-smoker. Smoking also weakens your body’s immune system, making it less able to fight off a gum infection. Plus, if you have gum damage, smoking makes it harder for your gums to heal. The moral of the story? If you do smoke, it’s time to stop. If you don’t smoke, don’t start.

5. Visit the dentist

Finally, you still have to visit the dentist. No matter how well you practice efficient oral care at home, you still need a professional cleaning with professional tools to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape. Plus, our team can look for any early signs of gum disease, such as redness, swelling, tenderness, or bleeding, to make sure you’re in good shape.

If you’re due for a professional cleaning, our team at Portrait Dental is here to help. To schedule an appointment, call our Katy, Texas, office or book a convenient time with our online scheduler.