When it comes to oral health, most people focus on keeping their teeth healthy, clean, and pearly white. Yet, the teeth aren’t the only thing needing attention. If you want to maintain that bright, beautiful smile and avoid any significant endodontic treatments in Ellicott City, you should focus your attention on your gum health as well.
Healthy gums are closely connected to healthy teeth, and neglecting to care for yours can result in a long list of unpleasant issues ranging from chronic bad breath to tooth loss. Gum disease has even been connected to serious medical conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Lina Jarboe, Dr. Burton Waxman, and the team at Access Endodontics want to aid you in better understanding your gum health. Therefore, we developed this simple guide to taking care of the more underappreciated aspect of your oral health.
Contact your dentist today or reach out to Access Endodontics at 410.304.7226 to learn more if you require any kind of treatment for your gums or tooth’s soft tissue.
What Is Gum Health?
You were likely taught how to maintain healthy teeth from an early age, but you may feel a little lost when it comes to your gums. This is why we’re not surprised when patients ask, “What is gum health, exactly?”
Gum health involves caring for and maintaining the tissue that surrounds your teeth. Like with teeth, gum care consists mostly of regularly brushing and flossing. However, with gums, flossing is most important.
The Importance of Healthy Gums
While unhealthy gums can take longer than problematic teeth to begin affecting the appearance of your smile, gum disease can prove to be incredibly destructive to both your teeth and your oral health in the long term.
Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is an infection of the gum tissue caused by bacteria developing in your mouth, most often due to poor oral hygiene. It begins as gingivitis, which usually has only minor symptoms and is curable, but can only be treated, not cured, once it advances to gum disease.
Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease in its early stages may go unnoticed and cause little discomfort, but it’s critical to spot it early on so you can get the treatment you need.
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Bright red gums
- Tender gums
- Swollen gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Bad breath (halitosis)
- Receding gums
- Increased tooth sensitivity
Once gum disease has become advanced enough, harsher symptoms may ensue. Those symptoms include tooth abscesses, pus around the teeth and gums, loose teeth, and potential tooth loss.
How to Achieve Healthy Gums
Now that you know all about gum health importance, follow these simple tips for maintaining optimal oral health.
Floss Daily
Food and plaque that become lodged in your teeth are not always reachable with a toothbrush, and those are the things that can start you down the road to advanced gum disease. Make sure to floss once a day, every day.
Brush Twice Daily
Flossing is critical to gum health, but it’s not enough on its own. Brush your teeth, preferably with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste.
Rinse After Eating
Don’t give food particles and bacteria a chance to settle. Rinse your mouth out after you eat whenever possible.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Seeing your dentist twice a year for a routine exam and cleaning will go a long way toward maintaining healthy gums.
Start Your Journey to Healthy Gums with Access Endodontics
Sometimes even the best oral hygiene routine isn’t enough to keep your gums in perfect health. If you’re in need of any kind of smile-saving treatment, speak with your dentist or contact Access Endodontics today by calling 410.304.7226.