Are your gums healthy? (Healthy Gums) Let's find out for sure!

Have you ever noticed that when you brush your teeth and spit into the sink, a little blood comes out? Or do your gums look red and slightly swollen when you look at them with your glasses? Many of us don't pay much attention to this and think it's normal, but it can actually be a very important sign about our oral health. So today, let's talk about these precious gums that protect our teeth.

Simply put, what is this gum?

Gums are the pink tissue that surrounds our teeth in our upper and lower jaws. Just like a plant is planted in the ground, our teeth are attached to the jawbone and protected by these gums. If you lift and lower your lips, you can see these gums well.

They're not just a pink film. The main function of gums is to protect and cover the delicate fibrous parts of our teeth that attach to the jawbone. They also help to withstand the pressure that comes on our teeth when we eat and talk.

If you look inside your mouth, you might see parts like these:

• The membrane between your lips and gums: There's a thin membrane that connects your upper and lower lips to your gums, right? That's the part.
• Interdental gum: The triangular area of ​​gum between two teeth.
• Gums attached to the tooth: This part is firmly attached to the tooth and the underlying jawbone.
• Gums that are not attached to the tooth: The gum line around the neck of the tooth that is slightly loose. When a dentist examines your gums, they insert a delicate instrument to check the health of this area.

What is the difference between healthy gums and diseased gums?

Healthy gums are easy to identify. They are light pink, firm to the touch, and fit snugly around the teeth. Most importantly, healthy gums do not bleed when you brush your teeth or even when you brush your teeth.

However, this appearance changes when the gums begin to become diseased. This difference can be clearly understood from the table below.

How does gum disease develop? What are the main types?

The main cause of gum disease is plaque, which is a sticky, colorless film that forms on our teeth when we eat, along with bacteria. If this is not cleaned properly, it gradually thickens and becomes tartar . Tartar is a hard, stone-like substance that cannot be removed with a toothbrush.

This is because of the toxins released by the bacteria in the gums and the plaque that causes gum damage. This condition can be divided into two main stages.

1. Gingivitis

This is the initial stage of gum disease. At this point, the gums become infected due to dental plaque, causing them to become swollen, red, and start to bleed when you brush your teeth. This is a very common condition. A large percentage of adults in the world have this condition.

2. Periodontitis

Imagine you have gingivitis, but you ignore it. What happens then? The infection in the gums gradually gets deeper. Small pockets form between the tooth and the gum, and more plaque and bacteria accumulate inside them.

This is the most dangerous stage of gum disease . Because this infection is no longer limited to the gums. It also begins to damage the jawbone that holds the teeth in place. Over time, this bone dissolves. What happens then? The teeth lose their support, start to loosen, and can eventually fall out .

Periodontitis is a leading cause of tooth loss if left untreated, so never ignore bleeding gums.

What should we do to keep our gums healthy?

This is actually not as difficult as you might think. If you dedicate a little time each day and follow proper oral hygiene habits, you can maintain healthy gums.

• Brush your teeth twice a day: Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste in the morning and at night before going to bed. The most important thing is how you brush. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the gum line and brush slowly in small, circular motions . This will help remove the plaque from the gum line.
• Flossing: This is essential to remove food particles and dental plaque that get stuck between your teeth that your toothbrush can't reach. It's a good idea to do this at least once a day. It may be a little difficult at first, but once you get used to it, it's very easy.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash: Using a mouthwash like this after brushing and flossing can help reduce the build-up of plaque on your teeth. However, it's best to consult your dentist about this.
• See your dentist regularly: It's important to see your dentist at least every 6 months for a check-up and teeth cleaning (scaling). If you're more prone to gum disease, your doctor may recommend going even sooner.

When is it important to take care of your gums?

If you continue to have any of the following symptoms, don't ignore them. Don't just stay home and think, "It's okay," but see a dentist right away.

• If your teeth always bleed when you brush them.
• If the gums are red, swollen, and painful .
• If the gums appear to be receding from the teeth.
• If you have persistent bad breath .
• If pus is coming from the gums.
• If your teeth feel loose or the gap between your teeth seems to be increasing.

If we want to preserve the teeth that make our smiles beautiful and help us enjoy the food we eat for a lifetime, we must also take care of the gums that hold those teeth in place.