{"id":1087,"date":"2018-11-12T14:27:22","date_gmt":"2018-11-12T02:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/dental-treatment\/5-easy-tips-to-prevent-gum-disease\/"},"modified":"2025-03-01T16:15:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-01T04:15:00","slug":"5-easy-tips-to-prevent-gum-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citydentists.co.nz\/dental-blog\/5-easy-tips-to-prevent-gum-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"5 easy tips to prevent gum disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Gum disease is no fun at all. Symptoms might include: red or tender gums, pain when chewing, sensitivity to hot or cold drinks, bad breath, or even your gums receding. In the absolute worst case scenario you could even lose teeth. <\/p>\n

Luckily, it’s relatively easy to prevent gum disease with smart dental care<\/a>. Here’s how you can get started. <\/p>\n

1. Avoid acidic drinks <\/strong><\/p>\n

Soft drinks, energy drinks and citrus juices are extremely high in acid, which can erode the enamel of your teeth and lead to decay. Cut down your consumption, or quit drinking them all together to protect yourself against gum disease. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\"CutCut down on acidic fizzy drinks to maintain your gum health. <\/figurecaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

2.<\/strong> Brush your gum line and tongue<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bacteria that can cause gum disease isn’t just on your teeth. Use a soft bristled brush, using gentle strokes to clean your gum line and tongue, as well as your teeth. Aim to do this for at least two minutes, twice a day. <\/p>\n

3. Floss daily<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the best ways to stop plaque buildup between your teeth is to floss. It takes less than two minutes and it can be done straight after brushing in the morning. All that’s required is a quick, soft slide up and down between each tooth, taking care to be gentle so that you don’t cause bleeding or scratch your gums. <\/p>\n

4. Know your risk<\/strong><\/p>\n

Several factors make you more at risk of gum disease, and if they apply to you it’s even more important to take good care of yourself. Risk factors include:<\/p>\n