While gum disease is certainly awful, it isn’t the only issue that the pink tissues around your teeth could face. You may be irritating your gums – causing bleeding, recession, etc. – with harmful oral habits. You should always correct those patterns if possible, ensuring your smile remains safe. With that said, your Raleigh dentist is here to help you do just so. Read on to learn four actions that irritate gums and how to compensate for them.
Over-Brushing
Excessive “over-brushing” doesn’t do your smile any favors. Rather, the habit harms your gums over time.
Gum tissues aren’t exactly made of the sternest stuff around. Composed of flesh, nerves, and blood, they can (and often do) become sore and inflamed under harsh force. Over-brushing applies exactly this force, so the habit generally leads to gum recession, sensitivity, and so on. You’d do well to avoid such consequences by brushing your gums (and teeth) gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Poor Flossing
Your dental floss could be another source of gum irritation. After all, poor flossing isn’t good for your periodontal health.
The problem is similar to aggressive over-brushing. When you use strong pressure (or vigorous back-and-forth movements) to floss, the resulting intensity upsets your gums and makes them ache or bleed. That means you should practice gentle flossing instead. In particular, slide the floss carefully between teeth and move it back and forth lightly.
Upsetting Foods
Sore gums don’t only come from oral hygiene methods, of course. Upsetting foods can cause gum irritation as well.
Some of the more noteworthy examples are hard and crunchy items. For instance, crisp potato chips can scrape against gums and irritate as you chew. The same applies to hard candies you can’t help but bite and break down – jawbreakers, lollipops, etc. So, you should either avoid such fare entirely or reach for healthy alternatives like celery or carrots.
At-Home Whitening
If you’re unlucky, at-home whitening won’t just leave your teeth the same as before. It’ll also irritate and upset your precious gums.
Most at-home whitening agents contain hydrogen peroxide. While this substance can remove tooth stains, its composition isn’t exactly friendly to your gums. It often leads to aches, soreness, and general irritation when it comes into contact with the gums. At-home strips and trays don’t often fit a person’s mouth well, so they often allow for such contact.
Irritating your gums isn’t in your interest, so make sure to note the habits above. Correcting them will leave your mouth feeling and looking much better.
About the Practice
Lake Boone Dentistry is based in Raleigh, NC. Led by Drs. Ricke and Doughton, our practice seeks to give every patient the beautiful, stable, and thriving smile they deserve. We thus offer comprehensive dental care – dental checkups, periodontal therapy, help for oral emergencies, and more. Through these services, whole families can sport the flourishing grins of their dreams! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (919)-781-8610.