Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Gums When It Comes to Your Smile

A healthy smile is much more than just your teeth. Your gums play an important role in how strong your smile is. They help make sure it stays in place, so you should do your part in making sure they are pink and problem-free. If not, then you risk developing periodontal disease, which can cause trouble for you down the line. Keep reading to learn why these soft tissues in your mouth are as important as your teeth.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Also known as gum disease, this condition is an infection that targets your gum tissue. It’s often caused by a buildup of bacteria along the gumline. The earliest stage of it is called gingivitis, and the damage may be reversed when it’s caught early. Here are some symptoms you should know:

• Bleeding when you brush or floss
• Inflammation
• Persistent bad breath
• Noticeable redness

These signs may be easy to ignore, but it’s important you don’t. As it progresses, it develops into periodontitis, which can lead to gum recession or the loss of a tooth when left untreated.

How Healthy Gums Impact Your Smile

Building off the point above, your gums are essential for keeping your teeth stable. They anchor them to your jawbone, so it’s important they stay healthy. If not, then the soft tissue can become damaged and start to pull away from these dental structures. A tooth can become loose, which can be a headache to deal with.

How Your Gum Health Impacts Your Overall Well-Being

Not only that, but your overall well-being may also be affected by poor oral health. As new research comes into light, a correlation between your mouth and bodily systems is being discovered. There have been links between gum disease and serious health conditions like stroke, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.

It’s important to remember that an exact causative relationship hasn’t been made. So, one may worsen the other, but they don’t directly make you develop what it’s been linked to.

What Can I Do to Keep My Gums Healthy?

The good news is that taking care of your gum health is an easy feat! These are some simple tips that you can add to your routine:

• Brush twice a day and angle your toothbrush toward your gumline, allowing you to get rid of any plaque in these areas.
• Floss once every day to remove bacteria between your teeth.
• Rinse with antibacterial mouthwash to ensure you get as many harmful germs as possible; just make sure it’s alcohol-free.
• Keep up with routine visits to your dentist. They are trained to watch for signs of gum disease, so they can catch it while it’s in the early stages and prevent it from getting worse. That way, your smile stays strong and problem-free.

About the Author

Dr. Steven Oshins earned his dental degree from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. He is dedicated to the Schenectady community to ensure that their grins stay the best they can be. Dr. Oshins uses state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat gum disease, which makes your services much more effective and personalized to you. If you tend to bleed when you brush or floss, schedule an appointment or call his office at (518) 356-5635.