Many people focus on their teeth and pay little attention to their gums. But do you know how important your gums are in protecting your smile? The gums play a critical role in supporting your teeth, shielding the bone beneath them, and serving as the first line of defense against infection. Unfortunately, you cannot always tell when the gums are unhealthy until problems have progressed. This is why good daily hygiene that keeps your gums healthy is so important. Daily hygiene and regular professional care strengthen the gums, prevent gum disease, and keep your smile healthy for years to come.
How to Keep Your Gums Healthy, Strong, and Disease-Free
The reality is that many adults don't take care of their gums. Approximately 42% of U.S. adults over age 30 have early-stage gum disease. Even with good daily hygiene, you may be overlooking your gums. This is why it is so important to learn what healthy and unhealthy gums look like and whether you're showing any signs and symptoms of gum disease. Practicing good daily hygiene, monitoring your gums for signs and symptoms, and seeing your dentist regularly will help you make sure your gums are healthy, strong, and disease-free.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Gums
Gum care starts with monitoring your gums for signs and symptoms of gum disease. Healthy gums are:
- Firm and snug around the teeth
- Light pink in color
- Free of swelling or tenderness
- Free of bleeding when you brush or floss
When gum disease starts to develop, early symptoms you can look for may include:
- Inflamed and swollen gums that are starting to pull away from the teeth
- Red or purplish gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Bleeding gums after you brush or floss
- A change in your bite or loose teeth
How Can You Improve Your Gum Health?
The good news is that gum disease is largely preventable with consistent, thorough removal of plaque and debris from the teeth and with lifestyle choices that promote healthy tissue and bones. In the earliest stages, gum disease can also be reversed with these practices and a visit to your dentist. Here are some key tips to improve your gum health:
- Brush twice daily along the gumline to remove plaque.
- Floss every day between teeth to clean where your toothbrush can't reach.
- Quit or avoid smoking and tobacco use to make it easier for gums to fight infection.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support tissue health.
- Stay hydrated to support saliva production, which helps fight bacteria.
- Get regular professional dental cleanings. Daily brushing and flossing can't remove all plaque and tartar. Professional dental cleanings are essential to keeping the teeth and gums as clean as possible.
Gum Health and Whole-Body Health
What many people don't realize is that maintaining healthy gums isn't just important for your oral health but for your overall health, too. Recently, researchers have connected gum inflammation to many serious health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, pneumonia, pregnancy complications, dementia, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.