A whole month devoted to our gums? If that seems a bit over-the-top, let’s take a moment to consider just how important these under-the-teeth heroes are. Because, while your healthy, confident smile is a gift you’re happy to share with the world, that smile wouldn’t be possible without healthy gums protecting your teeth and the structures which support them.
The gums are made of connective tissue covered with a mucous membrane layer. Healthy gums are firm and fit snugly around each tooth. This snug fit prevents plaque and food particles from reaching the tooth’s roots, which can cause decay. But our gums don’t just protect our teeth—they also cover and form a seal around the ligaments and bone which hold our teeth in place, protecting them from bacteria and infection.
Healthy gums are essential for healthy smiles. Give your gums the protection they deserve from the very start with some basic gum care:
Treat Your Gums Gently
- Heavy-handed brushing and flossing can damage delicate gum tissue. Always use a soft-bristled brush, and brush at an angle to clean away plaque where the gums meet the teeth. Floss properly to avoid gum injuries.
- Ask a team member at Mill Creek General Dentistry for tips if your gums are suffering from too-vigorous brushing and flossing. A quick refresher in proper technique might make all the difference.
- Electric toothbrushes and water flossers can be very helpful for thorough and gentle cleaning around the gums—and are especially helpful for people with mobility issues or who wear dental appliances.
Eat a Gum-Healthy Diet
September is also the month we celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day, and “arrr” pirate friends can teach us a lesson about gum health. Life on the high seas centuries ago was never easy, and scurvy was one of the major reasons why. In its early stages, this disease caused painful, swollen, bleeding gums and tooth loss. The cause of scurvy? Too little vitamin C in sailors’ diets.
Today we realize the importance of a balanced diet for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, with nutrients from A to Z providing essential benefits:
- Vitamin A is necessary for the integrity of mucous membranes, including the gums, as they act as a barrier to infection.
- Vitamin C helps us produce collagen, which provides vital support and structure to gum tissue and helps encourage tissue repair.
- Vitamin D fights infection and reduces the inflammation which can lead to gum disease.
- Iron deficiency can cause anemia, which prevents our immune systems from working effectively to fight infection.
- Magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Zinc is important for reducing inflammation and healing wounds.
These are just a few examples! The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, and proteins are good for your whole body, not just your gums, so talk to your doctor if you want to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need.
Help Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease can sneak up on you because it’s painless in its early stages. If you’re not brushing and flossing thoroughly, plaque and tartar around the gum line will build up. This buildup irritates the gums, causing redness, bleeding, and swelling—an early stage of gum disease called gingivitis.
Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease. The gums pull away from the teeth creating pockets around them. These pockets become home to harmful bacteria which attack the ligaments and bone tissue around the teeth. Teeth become loose and eventually fall out or need to be extracted.
Fortunately, gum disease is largely preventable.
- Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and floss once a day or as recommended to remove plaque and prevent tartar formation.
- Evaluating your gum health is part of every dental exam, so see the team at Mill Creek General Dentistry for an examination and a professional cleaning as often as recommended.
- Genetic factors and certain medical conditions can put some people at higher risk for serious gum disease. Hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can also leave gums more vulnerable to inflammation and disease. If you’re in one of these groups, your dentist and doctor can work together to design a treatment plan.
- If you have symptoms of advanced gum disease, talk to Dr. Kerry Olszewski about a periodontal referral.
Quit the Habit
Smoking increases the risk of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer, as well as many other health complications.
- If you’ve never smoked, don’t start.
- If you do smoke, talk to your dentist or doctor about the best ways to quit the habit. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to stopping smoking, and your care team can suggest methods which will work best for you.
- There is growing evidence which suggests that gum disease is linked to higher rates of diabetes complications, heart disease, and stroke. Protect your oral health and your overall health with timely treatment.
Don’t Ignore Symptoms
Gum pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, bad breath, deep gum pockets, and gum recession can be symptoms of gingivitis and/or periodontitis. Persistent sores, red or white patches, or lumps might be symptomatic of oral cancer or other health conditions.
- Make your dental and medical health a priority by seeing Dr. Kerry Olszewski if you have any questions or concerns about your gum health. Early treatment leads to the best outcomes.
- Most important, keep up with your scheduled examinations. Regular exams will help you discover and treat any oral health problems before they become more serious.
Take a moment this month to review your gum health, to check for ways to improve your gum care routine, and to contact your dental team in Mill Creek if you have any questions. After all, while your smile is the main event, your sparkling, confident smile wouldn’t be possible without healthy gums providing essential support.