Your gums are your teeth’s first line of defense against the bad bacteria in your mouth. Maintaining your gums health is vital to your overall oral health.
To protect your gums, it is important to know how they could be threatened, then understand the best methods to maintain your gum health.
Common Types Of Gum Disease
Millions of adults are affected by gum diseases. There are two main types of gum disease which you could be affected with without even knowing it.
- Gingivitis – This type of periodontal disease occurs as a direct result of poor oral hygiene. When you have gingivitis, the symptoms presented are reddened gums, swollen, and tend to bleed under pressure.
- Periodontitis – When gingivitis is neglected, it can turn into periodontitis. The original gingivitis symptoms will continue in addition to plaque formation. The plaque will separate your gums from your teeth, leaving your teeth and nerves vulnerable to bacteria.
Other factors which can make your gums more vulnerable to periodontal diseases are:
- Smoking
- Genetics
- Diabetes
- Aging
- Poor nutrition
- Medication
Key Ways To Maintain Gum Health
It is easier to maintain healthy gums rather than trying to fix gums damaged by gum diseases. There are key ways to maintain gum health which in turn protects your overall oral health.
- Brush after every meal – Leftover food lodged between teeth attracts bacteria. As the bacteria breaks down the food, it makes no distinction between food pieces and your teeth. It is important to clean your teeth thoroughly after every meal.
- Floss carefully – Toothbrush bristles alone are not enough to remove all the food particles from between your teeth. Flossing will help remove the leftover food particles that become lodged between your teeth and protect against future gum disease. However, be careful not to floss too hard. You don’t want to cut your gums and invite bacteria into the cut.
- Careful consumption – Some types of foods can speed up damage to your teeth and gums. Sugar is particularly dangerous, as it feeds bacteria growth, erodes enamel and weakening the seal between teeth and gums. Eating healthy and nutrition amounts of fats, vegetables, legumes, and fruits can help support your gum health.
Lastly, be sure you come in for your regular dental checkups. Dr. Wassmer and Dr. Taylor can identify if you have any periodontal disease and then treat your gums accordingly. However, as long as you maintain your oral health between visits, you can support your gums and your overall oral health with minimal fuss.