Oral hygiene should include your gums as well as your teeth. Even if you don't suffer from cavities, if you neglect your gums, your teeth and your gums could soon begin to suffer.

Your gums are vital to the health of your teeth. Without your gums, the vulnerable roots of your teeth would be at the mercy of oral bacteria. Gum disease can weaken your gums. That's why gum health is vital to your overall oral health. 

To keep your gums clean and healthy, practice the following good habits.

Brush and floss your gums daily

Plaque is the enemy of your gums and teeth. The acidic substances contained in plaque irritate gum tissue over time. Eventually, plaque can cause gum disease, which leads to bleeding, soreness, and eventually, gum recession. To remove plaque from between your teeth, use dental floss. And you should focus on removing plaque from along the gum line too with flossing and brushing.

But remember, don't floss or brush too hard because you will damage your gum tissue.

Eat nutritious foods, not junk food

Junk foods are easy for oral bacteria to digest. And plaque helps oral bacteria to cling to the surface of your teeth. The more junk food you eat, the more plaque will form on your teeth. Eat nutritious and healthy foods to reduce plaque formation and deprive oral bacteria of easy-to-digest foods. This will help to keep your gums healthy.

Try to eat foods that are rich in polyunsaturated fats, such as salmon, herring, trout, walnuts, and sunflower seeds, as these foods can reduce gum inflammation. This is important since gum inflammation is a symptom of gum disease.

Visit your dentist for dental cleanings twice a year

You might not be able to remove all plaque from your teeth all the time, especially if you live a busy lifestyle. That's why dental cleanings are a good way to bolster your gum health. Dentists recommend that their patients visit them for dental cleanings at least twice a year. Dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar from teeth. This helps to reduce your risk of gum disease.

Rinse your mouth with therapeutic mouthwash daily

When you shop for mouthwash, search for therapeutic mouthwash, not cosmetic mouthwash. Therapeutic mouthwashes contain antibacterial solutions that kill the bacteria responsible for gum disease. Make sure you read the label and look for the ADA (American Dental Association) seal to make sure the mouthwash is safe and effective.

Reach out to a general dentistry clinic for more information.