Brushing and flossing your teeth isn’t hard to do. And doing both properly can help prevent gum disease and tooth loss. Gum disease is caused by bacteria found in plaque and tartar.
How to Keep Your Gums and Teeth Healthy.
Cut off 18 inches and hold floss between your thumbs and forefingers. Place it between your teeth and gently move up and down. When the floss reaches the gumline, curve it around 1 tooth. Use up and down motions on both sides of the gumline. Repeat this motion for the rest of the teeth in the mouth.
The following risk factors increase your chance at gum disease:
- Smoking/tobacco
- Hormonal changes in girls/women
- Diabetes
- Certain medicines
- Heredity