Healthy Gums - Maintaining Healthy Gums
Healthy gums are important, not only for dental health, but also for overall health. As we get older, our dental health becomes even more important and taking a few steps every day can help us maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
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Gum Health
Structurally, gums are what hold teeth in place. Periodontitis , caused by unhealthy gums, is a condition that affects over half of people over the age of 55. Periodontitis contributes to tooth loss, infection and other health problems. Periodontitis can also be a symptom of other health problems, such as diabetes, heart problems or high blood pressure.
Gums should be a bright, healthy pink color and plump, but not puffy. They should not be receding. A dentist can measure gums and distinguish between healthy gums and gums that are receding.
Unhealthy gums can make it difficult to eat, cause bad breath and result in tooth loss.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Early symptoms of gum disease include slight bleeding of the gums when brushed. Gums may appear puffy and red. Tinges of blood might appear when eating hard foods, such as apples.
As the disease progresses, the bleeding becomes more pronounced. Blood appears on the toothbrush and the color of the gums changes.
In the later stages of gum disease, teeth become loose and gums show signs of infection, often requiring dental intervention.
Treatment of Gum Disease
Gum disease treatment can take a variety of forms. In the early stages, treatment includes an examination by a dentist and a thorough cleaning by a dental hygienist. Teeth are cleaned and scraped of plaque and tartar.
In later stages of gum disease, the dentist may refer a patient to a periodontist. This is a dental professional that specializes in the treatment of gum disease. The periodontist may recommend gum surgery, which may entail removal of teeth and replacement through implants or dentures.
Healthy Gum Maintenance
It is relatively easy to maintain healthy gums .
- Brush your teeth several times daily. Brushing in the morning and before going to sleep is extremely helpful, since high amounts of plaque build-up and bacterial growth occur overnight. Brushing also removes small particles of food caught between teeth or in the mouth.
- Floss at least once daily. Flossing removes plaque build-up from between the teeth.
- Visit a dentist on a regular basis. Dentists will check your gums and make recommendations if you need further treatment.
- See a dental hygienist regularly. Getting your teeth cleaned on a regular basis is extremely important to maintaining healthy gums, since hygienists scrape the teeth and remove plaque and tartar build-up.
- Check your own gums regularly to look for signs of gum disease. Watch for red, swollen gums, bleeding, blood on the toothbrush, bad breath , or loose teeth.
The Importance of Healthy Gums
Maintaining healthy gums is extremely important. While we may not consciously think about it, healthy gums play an important role in how we present ourselves and how others view us. Our smile is central to how we feel about ourselves and how we present ourselves to the world. With healthy gums, our smile can be bright and confident.