Though we tend to focus on teeth when it comes to oral health, our gums play a big role in dental hygiene. Gum tissue keeps your teeth in line and anchors them to the jaw and also help to absorb any blows to the mouth. So it stands to reason that gum health is critical.

One of the first signs that you may not have healthy gums is if they bleed when you brush your teeth. Gum disease begins when plaque starts to build up along and underneath the gum line. The bacteria from the plaque can cause gingivitis, the beginning stage of gum disease. If gingivitis progresses, it can turn into periodontitis. While gingivitis is reversible and doesn’t affect the teeth or bone underneath the gum, periodontitis affects the bones that hold your teeth in place. Periodontitis can cause the gum and connective jaw tissues to deteriorate and even lead to losing your teeth. If you are someone who is dealing with this, call us today. Perdido Bay Dental is one of the leading implant dental clinics in the area. Dr. Djuric has over 25 years experience in implant dentistry. But don’t just take our word for it…

Keeping your gums healthy can help avoid both gingivitis and periodontitis. Here are simple ways to keep your gums healthy:

  • Brush your teeth and gums regularly – This will remove the plaque that gets stuck on teeth and near the gums. Most dentists now recommend battery-powered or electric toothbrushes, as they can remove plaque and other particles more effectively than manually brushing your teeth. If you brush your teeth at least twice a day, it should reduce any gum bleeding or inflammation.
  • Floss – Flossing helps to remove bits of food and plaque that are in between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing at least once a day can make a big difference in keeping your gums healthy.
  • Don’t smoke – Smoking damages gum tissue (and does a number of bad things to your teeth too), and makes them more prone to infection and gingivitis. Smoking makes the immune system weaker, so infections may progress more quickly.
  • Use mouthwash occasionally – If you or your dentist is seeing early signs of gum disease, they may recommend a mouthwash that can help kill bacteria and reduce plaque build up. Using mouthwash in combination with brushing and flossing can help reverse the start of gum disease.
  • See a dentist regularly – Regular dental visits are a reliable way to catch early signs of gum disease that you may not notice. You’ll of course also benefit from a deep cleaning, where we scrape away plaque and tartar from underneath your gum line near the roots of your teeth.

If you don’t yet have a regular dentist, call us today to schedule a free consultation! (850) 542-4428