Orally, which is quite often described, happens inside our mouths in terms of what happens once we hear the term ‘oral health’. Most of us usually remember to speak of teeth and forget that those gums in our mouths are almost as important as our teeth themselves.
While healthy gums are a guarantee for a wonderful smile, healthy gums contribute to a lot more than mere aesthetic appeal. For example, unhealthy gums cause periodontal diseases that can dramatically affect not just your mouth but even the rest of your body. We shall show you why gum health matters and give you simple and effective steps you can follow to keep your gums healthy and strong in this article.
Apparently, gums looks like a minor part of your buccal area that holds your teeth and hold them firmly and straighten up but their role doesn’t just stifled to grabbing your teeth. It extends to maintaining your oral health and hygiene and also your overall health. There are various fatal diseases related to your heart, lungs, and brain that are directly linked to the poor gum health and hygiene.
New studies have shown a powerful connection between gum disease and heart problems such as coronary artery problems, stroke and vessel blockage in case of cardiovascular disease. Inflammation in gums can transfer buildup plague into the blood vessels that causes a blockage of plaque within the arteries, increasing heart disease.
Poor gum health also makes damages to the lungs. Bacteria in the contaminated plague build up in periodontal pockets from can spread to your lungs and cause respiratory infections, especially in patients who already has weak immunity system.
Gum inflammation when takes its worst form of periodontal disease complicates the management of blood sugar in the diabetic patients. Gum disease and excessive blood sugar impacts each other interchangeably: elevated blood sugar increases the risk of gum infections.
Women with infected gums who are pregnant will have an increased chance of having a miscarriage, a premature birth or low weights birth of their children because the bacteria may trigger inflammatory responses affecting the fetus and causing birth complications.
Howsoever you keep your mouth clean, a person still needs to look out for early signs of gum diseases. These are;
Painful or red gums
Swollen gums.
Gums that bleed easily when brushing or flossing
Persistent bad breath
Receding gums making your teeth look longer than they actually are
Loose or shifting teeth
Now that we have learned why the gum is essential let’s figure out how to improve gum health. Some useful routine practices to make your gum health better are as follows:
Brush your teeth at least two times a day to ensure complete hygiene of your mouth space: brushing action will remove the plaque on your teeth and gums that forms as the bacteria settle and thrive there. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to reduce gum damage; brush gently in the direction of your gum line.
Consider some of the useful brushing tips regarding the kind of brush you use and tooth paste. The presence of fluoride provides additional strength to the teeth, and certain toothpastes are particularly for gums therefore, apply toothpastes that contain fluoride.
While brushing the teeth and cleaning their teeth and gum line everybody seems to forget the tongue. It leaves us with bad breath and inferior oral health. Make a habit of cleaning your tongue regularly to avoid bacteria from the mouth.
Gum health is important and flossing helps with this because it removes food particles and chronic plaque etc. in areas where your brush cant reach. This is especially crucial around the gum line, where bacteria tends to settle. Whereas, a high quality water flosser gets all your concerns regarding oral hygiene resolved. BOLT Water Flosser doesn’t only removes all the germs and bacteria but also soothes your gum inflammation with its warm pressurized water stream.
Mouthwash could kill bacteria and sweep away debris and add that little extra kick to your oral care routine. Choose a therapeutic antibacterial mouthwash, designed to help control plaque, reduce the chances of gingivitis and periodontitis. If you are dealing with certain gum conditions, ask your dentist which medicated mouthwash best fits the needs of your teeth.
Smoking is one of the greatest risk factors for gum disease, as smoking weakens your immune system and reduces blood circulation to the gums. Smokers are more prone to developing worse gum disease than non-smokers, and their gums also heal much slower than a non-smoker’s. Quitting smoking has some very beneficial effects not only on your gums but generally on your health.
Good nutrition is always a key aspect to consider while trying to achieve better gum health. Adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C, is necessary to maintain the strength of gums and repair them. Intake a lot of green leafy vegetables, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins in your diet. The foods that are rich in antioxidants reduce inflammation and decrease the chance of developing gum disease.
Such food items encourage bacteria, which causes erosion of the enamel that causes gum diseases. Avoid sweet snacks and carbonated beverages as much as you can. In case you are forced to consume them, drink some water after to prevent irritation of the mouth lining .
Massaging your gums helps improve blood circulation and strengthens the tissue. You can massage the gum area with a finger or soft-bristled toothbrush in a circular motion. Moreover, oil pulling with coconut oil also serves well. It will improve gum resilience and maintain healthy gums if done regularly.
Regular dental check-ups are important in maintaining good gum health. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing cannot reach. During visits, your dentist will identify signs of gum disease early and intervene before things get worse. Target to see a dentist every six months if you don’t have many gum problems, or more often if you are.
