Sturdy gums are essential to preventing teeth loss and the accompanying pain. The problem doesn’t stop there though. The disease-causing bacteria can also spread to other regions of the body resulting in multiple health issues. It makes sense, therefore, for you to aim for healthy gums in addition to flashing pearly white teeth.
Brushing alone is not enough to remove plaque because of awkward spots in the teeth. Unless you visit your personal Buckhead dentist regularly for professional cleaning, plaque can build up in between your teeth over time and lead to chronic infections as it reaches deep into the gum line. Watch out for these warning signs:
- Your gums feel tender and swollen
- It’s extra-sensitive and bleeds easily
- Abscess or pus oozes from your gums
- It seems to be pulling farther up the teeth
- You feel biting discomfort
- People complain about your bad breath
- Your dentures no longer fit as they used to
- You notice gum discolorations
More than just loose teeth and bad breath
Chronic gum infection can lead to a host of other health problems including breathing difficulties, memory impairment, and heart disease. In the right quantities, researchers believe bacteria is able to enter channels such as the blood vessels, cranial nerves, and respiratory tracts causing inflammations and obstructions within the more vital body organs.
Gum Care Tips
- Use the right toothbrush. Unlike our skin, gum tissue doesn’t form callous. If you brush hard, you slowly remove your gum tissue, exposing the root surface and making your gums more prone to infection.
- Floss before you brush. This way you can remove bits stuck between your teeth better to prevent bacterial growth.
- Brush properly. Be gentle to your gums. The bristles should point at the gum line at a roughly 45-degree angle. Brush softly with circular or back-and-forth strokes.
- Increase your vitamin C intake. Vitamin C deficiency may be behind those overly sensitive gums. Eat more dark green veggies and citrus.
- Rinse with a mouthwash. According to a periodontology professor from the University of Pennsylvania, using anti-microbial rinse can reduce your risk of gum disease by 60%.
Gum disease can be prevented early on with routine check-ups. Your general dentist can evaluate the status of your gum tissues and the degree of teeth attachment and bone health using certain tests. In mild cases, antibacterial rinses may work to reduce inflammation or scaling and root planning to remove debris and plaque from areas that are difficult to reach. A dentist from Buckhead Esthetic Dentistry also uses lasers to alleviate the effects in more severe cases. If you notice any of the signs of gum disease see a dentist as soon as possible.
Source: Types of Gum Disease, Perio.org
Source: 5 Scary Reasons to Take Your Teeth Seriously, Prevention.com