There is more to good oral health than just white, well-aligned teeth. Although your teeth might be clean and cavity-free, your gums too, need to be in tip-top condition. Most gum conditions and infections go undetected until it is too late. One of the reasons for this is because most of these conditions aren’t painful at all, though they will still show signs and symptoms. That said, practising proper oral care (teeth and gums) can help prevent such conditions. If you are in Fleet then see orthodontist in Fleet.
What Are Gum Diseases?
Many gum diseases start with plague build-up along and under the gum line causing the gum tissue to be inflamed. Plague is mainly bacteria that forms a sticky film on your teeth, gums, and tongue. The bacteria cause the gums to be inflamed and lead to tooth decay and gum disease. It mainly manifests in gingivitis and may progress to a more severe condition if not managed early. The most common symptoms of gingivitis include:
- inflamed
- swollen
- tender
- red
- bleeding gums.
According to Trusted Source, Gingivitis doesn’t significantly impact the bone and tissue holding your teeth and can be reversed.
If not detected/treated on time, gingivitis may advance into periodontitis. Periodontitis is more severe as it causes damage to the bone and fibres that hold your teeth together. It may even weaken your teeth and bite, requiring the affected teeth to be removed. Some of the signs of gum disease (according to the American Dental Association) include:
- consistent bad breath and taste
- loose and/or separating permanent teeth
- gums bleeding easily
- tender, red, and swollen gums
- gums pulling away from teeth
The good news, however, is that gum disease is easily preventable. Here are a few tips for keeping your gums healthy.
- Floss
Flossing helps get rid of food materials and plague in hard-to-reach parts of your mouth. According to ADA, flossing at least once a day will go a long way in preventing plague build-up and gum diseases. - Consider Regular Professional Cleaning
While brushing and flossing every day is good for your oral health, regular dental cleanings are a more proactive way of preventing plaque and tartar build-up. Seeing your dentist most regularly will help identify any areas you might have missed while flossing or brushing and remove any tartar build-up from the teeth as well. This should help reverse most effects of gingivitis and gum disease. - Quit Smoking
Cigarette smoking is one of the most common triggers of gum disease. This is because cigarette smoke increases the risk of tartar build-up on your teeth, alters pH levels in the mouth, and, even worse, weakens your immunity. This leaves the gums vulnerable to bacteria and types of infection, e.g., gingivitis. The CDC thus advises against cigarette smoking, especially if suffering from gum infections. Smoking will also make healing from such infections a lot harder. - Brush Your Teeth Regularly
Dentists all over the world recommend brushing your teeth after every meal, and with a good reason. Food particles get trapped between teeth and the gumline as you chew food, with brushing and flossing the most viable option to get rid of these. You also want to have the right toothbrush to make this possible. Make a point of brushing before and after getting out of bed if unable to brush after each meal,
An electric or battery-powered toothbrush is mainly recommended for preventing gum diseases. They are more effective in keeping your teeth and gums clean as compared to manual toothbrushes. In addition to this, most of these have swap-able heads that can be swapped every 3 weeks. Invest in a good one today.