All You Need To Know About Gum Care

The World Health Organisation says about  15-20% global population between 35-44 years living with severe gum disease. Left untreated, these could trigger cardiovascular diseases and even oral cancer. The importance of protecting gums, therefore, benefits overall health and not just your oral health.

There are about 800 types of bacteria present in your oral passage. Therefore, ignoring oral hygiene is like inviting gum disease into your life.

What is gum disease?

Gum disease or periodontal disease or periodontitis is a bacteria-infected disease that leads to tooth loss and the breakdown of gums, tissues, and dental structure. It begins with gum inflammation, which dentists call ‘gingivitis’. Therefore, taking good care of your gums can lower the risk of periodontal disease to a great extent.

Inadequate care paves way for bacteria to grow on your gum line leading to inflammation. The usual pink color of your gum then turns red. You will also notice loose teeth, bad breath, and pain while chewing. These factors alone do not point to the fact that you have gum disease. But it is certainly a sign to visit a dental clinic for gum treatment.

How to prevent gum disease?

Gum disease occurs due to many reasons such as hormonal change, immunity disorders, other diseases, and bacterial infection. However, the major cause is poor oral hygiene and plaque buildup. You can prevent this by taking good care of your gums. Additionally, a little change in your habits can ensure oral hygiene as well, such as:

• Adding food rich in Vitamin C to your daily diet
• Abstaining from alcohol and soft drinks
• Refraining from using tobacco products and smoking
• Exercising regularly to control blood sugar levels
• Periodic dental checkups

In addition to these, if you follow these 3 gum-care  tips, you can definitely keep gum diseases at bay:

1. Regular proper brushing

Make sure you brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day. The toothbrush you use should have soft bristles. Also, only do up and down strokes, while brushing. This cleans up the gum line and gives a good massage to your gums.

2. Flossing at least once a day

Daily flossing is important for perfect pink gums. This removes the food particles trapped between the teeth and prevents plaque buildup.

3. Rinsing with mouthwash

Brushing and flossing clear only the food particles from your mouth whereas rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash kills the germs in your mouth.

This ensures that your gums remain pink of the health and show when you smile.

Gums are where your teeth sit snugly. Unhealthy gums recede gradually and fail to hold your teeth firmly in place, which results in loose teeth and tooth fall. If you find that your gums are swollen, red, and detached from teeth, it is recommended to visit a periodontist for diagnosis, before it aggravates into a condition that cannot be reversed.