What is a good teeth health, is it just the way how straight your teeth are or how much bright your smile is? No! It is not only this; you need to take care of the base of your teeth too i.e. your gum. Even if you do not have the cavity and have brightest teeth it doesn’t mean that you’re immune to gum disease. It is usually painless; therefore people have no idea if anything is wrong with their gums.
What is gum disease?
When plaque or bacteria starts to build up under and along the gum line, it is known as Gum disease. Such infections can hurt the gum and bone which leads to tooth decay and gum disease. Gingivitis is the early stage of the gum disease. The symptoms of Gingivitis are –
• Inflammation in Gum
• Prone to Bleeding
• Red
• Swollen
• Tender
If you caught any of these symptoms it means that these are the warning signs and you need to treat them as soon as possible.
The second stage of gum disease is known as “periodontitis”, it impacts the bones which are holding your teeth in place. If they are not treated in time, it can ruin the gums, bones, and tissues which are connected to your teeth.
The last stage of the gum disease is “advanced periodontitis”. It occurs when bone supporting your teeth is destroyed and you might need to remove the teeth.
The signs of gum disease are
• Bad breath
• Bad taste
• Bleeding gums
• Gums which can be pulled away from your teeth
• Losing adult teeth
• Swollen, red, or tender gums
6 Ways to Keep Your Gums Healthy are
1. Floss
Floss your teeth at least once a day. This will remove the plaque and food which is stuck between your teeth and cannot be removed by a toothbrush. You can floss anytime you want.
2. Get regular dental cleanings
Your dentist can detect early signs of gum disease symptoms, so if you have a regular cleaning, then such signs can be caught earlier and can be prevented as you are having regularly cleaned up your teeth. Professional cleaning is always best. It can also get rid of any plaque you missed while brushing or flossing.
Click to know – Bad breath (Halitosis) – Causes
3. Quit smoking
Smoking can build up the bacteria in your gums, weakens your immune system, so it becomes harder to fight off a gum infection. Plus, smoking also reduces your body healing capabilities. Plus it is more difficult for your gums to heal once they have been damaged.
4. Brush twice a day
Brush your teeth twice a day after having every meal. This will help remove the food and plaque stuck between your teeth and gums. Scrub your tongue too.
You should use a battery-powered or electric toothbrush as they will remove more plaque than manual brushing. Change your toothbrush after every three to four months, or if the bristles get frayed.
5. Use fluoride toothpaste
Choose toothpaste which contains fluoride and has an ADA seal.
6. Use a therapeutic mouthwash These mouthwashes can help reduce plaque and prevent gingivitis
