How To Maintain Healthy Gums
On a regular day, you may not think about your gums at all. That is, until they start giving you problems. When not treated properly, unhealthy gums can cause you so much pain that eating and sleeping become difficult. The good news is that it is never too late to start taking care of your gums. If you are in in pain because of your gums, you might be wondering how you can maintain healthy gums. Keep reading to learn about the top 3 issues most patients have with their gums to learn what to avoid and how to maintain healthy gums.
Bleeding Gums
Seeing blood when you brush your teeth is often a signal that something is wrong with your gums and that you have a buildup of plaque. Dentists recommend brushing and flossing twice a day, and it is never too late to start. Brushing and flossing every day is a great way to help maintain healthy gums. If regular brushing and flossing do not seem to help reduce or eliminate the bleeding in your gums, you should make an appointment with your dentist. Notify your dentist that your gums are bleeding and that you might need a deep cleaning or a scaling to correct the issue.
Healthy Gums vs. Receding Gums
Though you may be committed to your dental health, brushing your teeth too hard can in fact result in gingival recession, or receding gums. You must take care when you brush to not scrub back and forth too hard, and make sure that you use a soft toothbrush. Another common cause of gingival recession is grinding. If you grind your teeth in your sleep or while you are awake, the gums can recede. There are options available to fix problems such as grinding, and your dentist will be able to provide proper guidance on how to best maintain healthy gums.
Gum Disease
Gum disease can set in when your gums start reacting to plaque buildup on the surface of the teeth. When gum disease emerges, you can expect your gums to become red and swollen, and they may begin to bleed easily. If this is not corrected, gum disease can lead to periodontitis, which is when the bone below or above the teeth starts to be affected.
We Can Help You Maintain Healthy Gums
Make healthy gums a priority because if you put off necessary treatment, it can get progressively worse quickly. If you have questions about your gums, please contact our office to arrange a free consultation. Our practice has served the Buffalo area for over 20 years, and we are committed to helping all our patients maintain healthy gums and oral health.
We also have a multitude of educational dental resources available on our website including our comprehensive dental treatment guide and several educational dental videos.
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