Gum Health Basics

In the dental and medical fields, oral health used to be completely separate from whole body health. Now we know different, and acknowledge just how important it is to have healthy teeth and gums for the whole body. Just as bad oral health affects the body and quality of life negatively, good oral health makes a positive impact on whole body health. Here are some gum health basics:

Gums are Important!

Your gums (or gingiva) are the soft tissue in your mouth. They are a barrier to prevent infection. Gingiva also covers the bone holding your teeth in. When gums start to recede due to disease, the bone follows. Because the gums are the barrier between the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth and the outside world, when gums go away, so does the bone. The teeth are then jeopardized because there is little holding them in place or protecting them from bacteria.

Gingivitis isn’t just bad for your teeth.

Gingivitis, or gum disease, is caused from bad bacteria building up on the teeth and around the gum lines, causing an infection. Signs of gingivitis are red, painful, swollen, or bleeding gums. Gingivitis may not seem like a big deal but left untreated it can cause big problems. Although gingivitis is local to your gums, it can turn into periodontitis. Periodontitis is an infection of not just your gums but all of the hard and soft tissue surrounding your teeth, causing bone resorption.

It is also important to note that although gingivitis is a minor infection, it is an infection in your body nonetheless. The inflammation and bacterial infection associated with gingivitis has been linked to heart disease, alzheimers, and other serious disease. Eliminating inflammation and dangerous bacteria in your mouth will keep you healthy longer, and eliminate risk factors for serious inflammatory diseases (like heart disease).

How to take care of your gums

The great news is gingivitis is totally preventable. It is also totally treatable. Good gum health is easy to obtain with the right habits. Because it is caused by bad bacteria built up through plaque on the teeth, good brushing and flossing habits are key for gum health. Brushing twice a day will keep the plaque from forming on teeth and creating a bacterial colony conducive to growing disease causing bacteria. We also recommend flossing once a day, to remove the bacteria and plaque the toothbrush was not able to reach in between the teeth.

Plaque can also buildup under the gums creating a hard deposit on the teeth called calculus. For this reason, it is important to get regular check ups and dental cleanings. Regular dental cleanings will not only remove any bacterial build up the patient was unable to reach with a toothbrush, but it also prevents a worsened or serious infection from happening in the first place. The key to good gum health is plaque removal, and it takes work at home as well as regular dental cleanings to maintain.

Spokane Dental is here for you

At Spokane Dental, Dr. Smith has a team that works seamlessly together to keep you and your family healthy. The dental hygienists in our practice are specially trained to diagnose and treat gum health problems along with Dr. Smith. We strive to make our patients comfortable in our office, and improve patient health at every visit. We are here for all your dental needs. To schedule an appointment, call (509)822-5614 today.