Gum Health- Things to keep in mind Healthy gums are an epitome of a healthy smile. A smile is so much more than your perfectly aligned, pearly teeth. Even if your teeth are in excellent health, gums are still prone to diseases and problems that can compromise oral health and your smile. People focus more on the cleanliness and hygiene of their teeth, and they forget the gums need their attention, too. The primary factor that leads to gum neglect is that gum diseases are painless. The patient might not be able to differentiate it from their healthy gums unless things get severe. Therefore, it is better to know and be safe than sorry.

Healthy Gums or Not? Gums, medically known as the periodontium, are the soft, pink-colored tissue surrounding your teeth and holding them in place. Gum disease begins when poor oral hygiene and improper cleaning lead to plaque building up along the gum line and around the teeth. If you wonder what plaque is, a sticky film adheres to the tooth surface and harbors many bacteria. In short, plaque is terrible news for your healthy gums. It can cause bleeding gums, infections, and gum diseases known as gingivitis and periodontitis that involve the gums and the jawbone leading to tooth decay and even tooth loss. Healthy gums appear pinkish-red with a fine contour around the teeth. In contrast, unhealthy gums can be inflamed, painful, red, swollen, prone to bleeding, or recessed. Healthy gums are integral to good oral and overall health. Once initiated, gum disease (periodontal disease) is incredibly progressive and can lead to many dental problems such as tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, mobility of tooth, and eventually tooth loss.

Factors Causing Gum Disease Many causes lead to gum disease, and some are due to your neglect, while others are under no one’s control. *Poor oral hygiene *Plaque and calculus build-up *Hormonal changes like in pregnancy *Underlying diseases such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cancer, HIV *Medicinal drugs such as anti-angina and anti-convulsant *Smoking *Poor diet *Old age *A family history of dental problems and gum diseases

Oral Hygiene Practice- How can you improve the health of your gums? Knowledge is power, especially when it is about your health. However, it is okay not to know everything about your oral cavity because that’s what dentists are for. Regular dental exams and check-ups can create awareness about gum health and the oral hygiene practices that promote healthy gums. An optimal oral hygiene routine that is the foundation of a healthy oral cavity includes brushing twice daily, using floss and mouthwash at least once a day, eating healthy, avoiding smoking or tobacco, making regular visits to the dentist, and visiting your doctor to ensure that there are no underlying diseases that can compromise your oral health.

Gum Diseases- Your worst nightmare Destiny defines the destination, and you are the one writing the fate of your oral cavity. The neglect of gum health can have dire consequences. But how would you know that your healthy gums are no longer healthy? According to the ADA- American Dental Association, enlisted are the red flags that point towards unhealthy gums and the initiation of gum diseases: *You start experiencing a constant lingering bad taste or bad breath (halitosis) *Gums easily bleed on brushing or biting/chewing hard food *You see gaps instigating in between your teeth that will eventually become loose *Swollen, inflamed (red), or painful (tender) gums that even hurt on touching *Recessed gums, you will see that the gums are pulling away from the teeth *Accumulation of plaque and tartar (calculus) in the mouth These signs are a warning for you because what is up next is worse. If even after noticing the signs, the patients neglect their gum health, gums diseases periodontal diseases) initiate. However, just like any other disease, gum diseases are treatable, and if done right, you can have your healthy gums once again. Although gum diseases are very much treatable, if the root cause is an underlying disease, it should be treated simultaneously, or the problems will recur.

Gingivitis: it simply means the inflammation of healthy gums. However, it is a non-destructive periodontal disease because it does not involve the bone and is completely reversible. Signs and Symptoms: Change in color of gums from pink to bright red or purple Tender and soft gums Bleeding while brushing, eating, or flossing Bad breath Inflammation, or swelling of gums Gum recession Treatment: Gingivitis can be successfully treated and reversed when caught in the early stages. Professional dental care involving in-depth dental cleaning (scaling and polishing) alongside good oral hygiene practices at home can bring your healthy gums back.

Periodontitis: It is a destructive gum disease that involves the jawbone and is irreversible if not treated at the right time. Signs and Symptoms: Swollen gums Gums become bright or dusky red or purplish Gum pain on touching (tender) Bleeding gums, especially after brushing Bad breath and taste Pus/abscess between your teeth and gums Loose or mobile teeth Teeth falling out on their own (tooth loss) Painful biting and chewing New gaps developing between your teeth Gum recession Your teeth do not fit or sit on one another like they use to Treatment: You need to rush to the dentist if you experience any of these symptoms. The dentist will go with dental cleaning (scaling and polishing) and splinting the mobile teeth, in which a wire is used to hold and fix the tooth back in its place—followed by a good oral hygiene regimen.

Time for Some Oral Care With good oral hygiene, you can prevent dental problems and gum diseases easily. All you need to do is to stick to your dentist’s instructions and visit them for regular check-ups, so you know what is going on in your mouth.