Maintaining healthy gums is a part of great overall health.
Your dental health is a crucial part of your overall health. This means that maintaining strong and healthy gums is just as necessary as maintaining, for instance, your heart health. The key to healthy gums is brushing and flossing. If you aren’t sure whether your gums are as healthy as they can be or what you can do to improve them, read on for more information.
How to Spot Healthy Gums
The color of good gum tissue can vary but is typically coral pink or a dark hue in the same pigmentation. Healthy gum tissue is not inflamed and feels snug and natural around your teeth. The shape of the gum tissue looks knife-edged or pyramidal and follows a curved line around each tooth. Normal gum tissue has a firm texture and does not experience spontaneous bleeding.
The Causes of Unhealthy Gums
Bacterial plaque is the primary cause of gum disease or gingivitis. Gum tissue will respond to the bacterial plaque with inflammation, which can be reversed when the plaque is removed. Other factors like age, stress, genetics, tobacco use, medications, poor nutrition, or teeth grinding can contribute to gum disease. There are a few warning signs for gum disease, including:
- Red, inflamed, or tender gums
- Pus emerges when pressing gums
- Gums that recede from teeth
- Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
- Bad breath
- Noticeable changes in the fit of partial dentures
- Any changes to your natural bite
Practice Healthy Brushing
There are things you can do to improve or maintain healthy gums. Brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush can help you control plaque that accumulates. Position your brush at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line when you brush the front and back surfaces of your teeth. The stroke movement against the teeth should be a short and gentle back-and-forth motion.
Correct Flossing Technique
Flossing once a day, at least, to remove plaque and food debris helps prevent gum disease while curbing tooth decay and bad breath. The floss should be inserted between teeth with gentle force. Curve the floss in a “C” shape around each tooth, moving it against the tooth and below the gum line. Then, insert a new section of floss between the next teeth, so you don’t put germs back.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Finally, the best way to maintain healthy gums and teeth is to schedule regular dental checkups. If you wait until your gums are in pain to schedule an appointment, it may be too late to reverse some of the damage. Your dentist can keep an eye on your gums and recommend any oral care products that can further help you avoid gum disease. Finally, your dental hygienist can give you a professional clean you can’t do at home, which removes all bacterial plaque and calculus, or tart, that trap plaque around and below your gum line.
By taking preventative steps now, you can make sure you maintain healthy gums in your future.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.