Ensuring that your gums are healthy is vital, since they are the foundation of your entire oral health. Fortunately, properly caring for your gums is not that difficult. The most important thing is to develop a good oral care routine and stick to it.
Periodontal disease is sneaky. It is silent and painless until it progresses into its advanced stages. This chronic infection eventually damages and destroys gum tissue and underlying bone, which holds your teeth in place. Also, constantly fighting infection eventually wears down your immune system, potentially leading to other health problems.
Studies have found that patients with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease, potentially leading to a heart attack. This is believed to be due to oral bacteria gaining access to the bloodstream because of gum inflammation.
Once periodontal disease destroys the bone supporting your teeth, it is lost and will not regenerate. In the early stages of periodontal disease, you may not even know you have it. Some common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Red and tender gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Persistently bad breath
- Loose teeth (advanced periodontal disease)
Proper Gum Care
Here are some ways that you can properly care for your gums so that you dramatically reduce the chances of developing gum disease:
Brush Twice Daily
You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day using a soft-to-medium-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Daily brushing will help to remove plaque and bacteria found at the gum line. Be sure to brush all reachable surfaces of your teeth.
Floss Daily
A tooth brush cannot reach the spaces in between your teeth. So be sure that you are flossing daily to prevent the accumulation of food particles that feed oral bacteria.
Avoid Smoking
In addition to being a general health hazard, smoking is one of the leading causes of periodontal disease and oral cancer. If you are a smoker and want to quit, ask your healthcare provider about your available treatment options.
Regularly Visit Your Dentist
Those boring dental exam and cleaning appointments are actually extremely important. A dental exam allows your dental team to spot early signs of trouble when conditions are most treatable.
Regular dental cleanings will ensure that any plaque that has escaped your cleaning efforts at home will be removed early before it turns into a hardened form of plaque called tartar. Dental cleanings are extremely important in preventing gum disease.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you need more information about how to properly care for your gums, or need to catch up with your dental exam and cleaning appointments, please contact your dentist today to book your next appointment.
