Let's learn more about our gums (Gums/Gingivae) and how to protect them.

Have you ever looked in the mirror and seen the inside of your mouth? Have you ever noticed the pink area around your teeth? That's what we call gums. They're not just there, they're very important to the health of our teeth. Today, we're going to talk about these gums (Gums/Gingivae) and how to keep them healthy.

Where exactly are the gums located? What do they look like in our mouths?

If you lift your upper and lower lips a little, you'll see the pink tissue above and below your teeth. That's called the gingivae. Think about it, our teeth have roots, and those roots are attached to the jawbone. So, these gums are what surround those tooth roots and protect them. It's like the soil around a plant, helping to hold the tooth in place.

Now let's look at the different parts of the gums. This may sound a bit scientific, but it's good to know because your dentist may use these terms.

• Maxillary labial frenum: This is the very thin, membrane-like part between your upper lip and your upper gum. If you lift your upper lip, you can see it in the middle.
• Alveolar mucosa: This is a bright red mucous membrane. It is found in places like the bottom of your mouth, the inside of your cheeks, and the inside of your lips.
• Marginal gingiva: This is the neck of the tooth, the soft tissue that surrounds the bottom of the tooth. It is not firmly attached to the tooth. When a dentist checks the health of your gums, he or she may use a small instrument (probe) to move this marginal gingiva slightly away from the tooth.
• Attached gingiva: This is another layer of soft tissue. Unlike the marginal gingiva mentioned earlier, this is firmly attached to the tooth and the underlying bone. Not even a dentist can easily move it. This is the strongest part of the gum.
• Interdental gingiva or papilla: Simply put, this is the part of the gum between your teeth. When healthy, it takes on a triangular shape and fills the gap between your teeth.
• Mandible buccal frenum: This is located at the front of the mouth, between your lower lip and lower gums. It is similar to the frenum above.

All of these parts come together to form our gums. Each part has a specific function.

What benefits do gums have for us?

So, the main benefit of these gums is that they help keep our teeth in place. They act like a seal around the teeth, preventing food particles and bacteria from getting to the root of the teeth.

Also, these gums cover and protect the jawbone that holds our teeth. Just think, if the gums were not healthy, the teeth could gradually start to loosen and eventually fall out. Therefore, the gums are a very important and indispensable part of our oral health. The gums are like the bark of a tree to the teeth.

What do healthy gums look like?

Healthy gums are easy to recognize when you see them. When you look in the mirror, look for these things:

• They are usually light pink (some people may have a slightly darker color depending on their skin tone, which is normal).
• If you touch it with your hand, it feels firm and solid . There is no softness.
• It is neatly arranged around the teeth, as if it is tightly gripping the tooth.
• It's swollen, red, and doesn't bleed easily.
• A pattern of small bumps, similar to the rind of an orange, (stippling) can sometimes be seen in healthy gums. This indicates that the gums are well attached to the underlying tissues.

If your gums look like this, you can be happy! It means you're taking good care of them.

What are the types of gum disease? Are they dangerous?

Unfortunately, gums can also become diseased. We call this periodontal disease . The main cause of this is the build-up of bacteria on the teeth and gums. This bacteria comes from plaque, which is made up of the food we eat. If this plaque is not removed properly, it hardens over time and becomes tartar/calculus . More bacteria can accumulate on top of this.

There are two main types of gum disease:

1. Gingivitis

This is the most basic and mild stage of gum disease. When bacteria, plaque, and tartar build up on our teeth, the gums can become infected and inflamed. This is called gingivitis.

• Symptoms: Bleeding gums when brushing your teeth, redness of the gums, slight swelling, bad breath, etc. Sometimes these symptoms may not be noticeable at first, or you may think they are normal.
• Prevalence: This is very common. Surveys suggest that about half of adults over the age of 30 have some level of gingivitis.
• The most important thing: The best thing is that if this is detected early, it can be completely cured with proper brushing and professional cleaning by a dentist. At this point, there is no permanent damage to the tooth or jawbone.

2. Periodontitis

This is the most serious and severe stage of gum disease. If gingivitis is not treated properly, it can progress to periodontitis, which is also a bacterial infection.

• What happens: At this point, the gums begin to pull away from the teeth, creating small "pockets" between the teeth and gums. Bacteria can accumulate inside these pockets, increasing the infection. Over time, this infection begins to destroy the jawbone and ligaments that hold the teeth in place.
• Symptoms: In addition to the previously mentioned symptoms of gingivitis, there may be things like the gums receding from the teeth (appearing as if the teeth have grown longer), large gaps between the teeth, loose teeth, pus coming from the gums, a change in the way you feel when eating, and a bad taste in the mouth.
• Severity: In a country like America, more than 47% of people over the age of 30 have this disease. This number increases to about 70% for people over the age of 65. So imagine how common this is, and how serious it is. If left untreated, periodontitis can cause the jawbone that holds your teeth to dissolve, eventually causing them to fall out.
• Treatment: This definitely requires dental treatment. This may include deep cleaning, medication, and in some severe cases, even surgery.

Therefore, gum disease is not something that can be simply ignored. The most important thing is to recognize it early and take action.

How do we keep our gums healthy?

Okay, now we know how important gums are and what diseases they can cause. So, how do we protect these precious gums? All we have to do is follow good oral hygiene habits . These are those habits:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes. When brushing, don't just brush your teeth, but also brush thoroughly to remove bacteria and plaque from the gum line. It's best to hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle toward your gums and brush in gentle, circular motions or short, up-and-down strokes. Don't brush too hard, as this can damage your gums.
• Floss between your teeth. Flossing is important to remove food particles, bacteria, and plaque that can't be removed with a toothbrush. It's best to floss at least once a day, especially before going to bed. Ask your dentist for the correct way to floss.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash (as directed by your doctor). This can help reduce the build-up of plaque that can lead to gum disease. But remember, using a mouthwash doesn't replace brushing and flossing. It's just a supplement. Not everyone needs it, so ask your dentist.
• Visit your dentist at regular intervals . This usually means getting a dental cleaning/scaling and a check-up every six months . This is when your dentist examines the health of your teeth and gums and helps identify any problems early. If you have a risk factor for gum disease (e.g., diabetes, smoking), you may need to see your dentist more often.
• Eat a balanced diet. Reducing sugary foods and drinks is good for your teeth and gums.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease. Also, gum disease takes longer to heal in smokers, even if treated.

When should we see a doctor about gums?

If you have one or more of the following symptoms and they don't improve within a few days, be sure to talk to your dentist. These could be early signs of gum disease. The longer you wait, the more serious the problem can become.

• Bleeding gums (when brushing, flossing, or just being still).
• If the gums are red, swollen, painful to the touch, or sensitive.
• If you constantly have bad breath, or if you have a bad taste in your mouth (as others say).
• If the gums appear to be receding from the teeth (the teeth may appear to be elongated, or the roots of the teeth may be visible).
• If new gaps have formed between the teeth, or if existing gaps have become larger.
• If you feel like your teeth are moving.
• If the way you eat has changed (the way your teeth fit together, the way you chew food).
• If you have dentures and they don't feel right.
• If there are pus-filled blisters in one or more places on the gums.

Symptoms like these are your body's way of telling you something. It's wise to listen to it and seek professional advice as soon as possible.

Take-Home Message

So, from what we've talked about today, you can see how important gums are to our oral health. Healthy gums pave the way for healthy teeth.

• Your gums are what hold your teeth together and protect them.
• Periodontal disease can damage the gums and eventually lead to tooth loss. Gingivitis is the initial stage, which can be treated. Periodontitis is the more serious stage, which requires prompt treatment, or you may lose your teeth.
• Good oral hygiene habits – that is, brushing your teeth properly twice a day, flossing once a day, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist on time – are the best ways to protect yourself from gum disease.
• If your gums are bleeding abnormally, swollen, painful, or if you notice any other changes, see a dentist without delay.

To keep your smile beautiful, it's essential to keep your gums as healthy as your teeth. So, starting today, take care of your gums, right? It's very important for your overall health!

` Gums, Gingivae, Periodontal disease, Gingivitis, Periodontitis, Oral hygiene, Dental health