Your Gum Health: What You Should Know

When most people think about dental care and about going to their family dentist, they just think about their teeth. However, there is another important aspect of oral health to keep in mind. That is the health of your gums. Get to know some important facts about gum health. Then, you can be sure you are doing everything you can to protect your gum health and to see your family dentistry provider regularly for cleanings and check-ups.

Gums Are Sensitive and Delicate

One thing to know about your gums is that they are fairly sensitive and delicate. This means that to preserve your gum health, you should brush your gums every day. However, you need to do so gently.

Brushing too hard, too vigorously, or with too hard of a toothbrush can lead to damage and trauma to the gums. This can cause gums to recede and lead to issues with your overall oral health.

Without Healthy Gums, Your Teeth Suffer

If you do not take proper care of your gums, your teeth suffer as well. When a person has receding gums, for example, the sensitive nerves connected to the teeth get exposed which can cause excruciating tooth pain. Teeth need the protection of the gums to thrive and remain attached to the jawbone. Do not let your gum health go to the wayside if you want your teeth to be healthy. 

Gum Health Requires More Than Brushing

You need to do more than just brushing your teeth twice a day to maintain gum health. You also need to floss at least once a day. If you do not floss, food particles can get wedged up into the gum line and cause damage and infections. This can lead to plaque buildup as well as gum disease. 

Using mouthwash is a great addition to brushing and flossing when it comes to gum health. It is another way to get rid of the particles and microbes in the mouth that can lead to gum disease.

And of course, twice-yearly cleanings with your family dentist are essential in maintaining your gum health. They will be able to remove stubborn residue that you cannot and can assess your gum health. If you do have gum disease or the beginnings of gum issues, your family dentist can diagnose that right away and get you the treatment you need to deal with it. 

Gum Disease Can Impact Your Overall Health

It is not just your oral health that is affected if you develop gum disease. Gum disease impacts overall health as well. There are links between heart disease and gum disease, for example. It may also increase the risk of stroke. These are risks you just do not want to take, and as such, gum care is vital. 

Now that you know more about your gum health, you can be sure to schedule your next family dentistry appointment for a check-up and cleaning right away. 

To learn more, contact a family dentist.