Want to keep your teeth? Take care for your gums!

The gums are the normally pink coloured soft tissues which surround the neck of the teeth like a collar. They are usually very healthy due to their ability to heal very fast; therefore unhealthy gums are a sign of an unhealthy body, experts say. By age 35, three out of four adults develop some form […]

The gums are the normally pink coloured soft tissues which surround the neck of the teeth like a collar. They are usually very healthy due to their ability to heal very fast; therefore unhealthy gums are a sign of an unhealthy body, experts say.

By age 35, three out of four adults develop some form of gum disease. Gum disease can occur at any age, but recent studies indicate a greater risk after age 35. This insidious disease is painless and if untreated will destroy the gums and bone surrounding your teeth and may eventually lead to tooth loss.

Dr Lukman Adio , a dentist with Regal Dental Clinics,Abuja says “the most common type of gum disease is inflammation of the gums called gingivitis which most often results from a poor oral hygiene manifesting as accumulation of plaque and calculus(tartar) on the surfaces of the teeth and along its gum line. Plaque is made up of small particles of food, germs and mucus which if left for more than three days hardens and turns into tartar.”

Though he says gingivitis is a mild, common disease and easily treatable, but could progress into a more severe type of gum disease called periodontitis (this causes the teeth to become shaky and fall off) if left untreated. Research has directly linked gingivitis to some heart conditions.

  Causes of gingivitis

As earlier mentioned, the primary cause as noted by Dr Adio is poor oral hygiene but other causes which could be attributed to the disease include; Poor nutrition especially deficiencies in vitamins b3(Pellagra) and c(Scurvy),viral and fungal infections e.g herpes.Also,hormonal changes, especially in women during puberty, pregnancy and menopause and smoking and alcohol are also predisposing factors.

Symptoms

The gums are often red , swollen, painful and bleed easily. Persistent bad breath is also something to watch out for.

How can it be treated?

According to Dr Adio, “the first step of treatment for plaque induced gingivitis is “scaling”, which means cleaning all the plaque and tartar of the teeth and gums. This process can be done by your dentist – though usually a painless procedure, it can cause some amount of uneasiness if there is an excessive accumulation of plaque. It is necessary to follow a good oral hygiene routine after a professional cleaning to prevent the further appearance of plaque.”   

Prevention

Following these, basic rules will prevent this problem according to experts.

• While buying toothpaste, ensure that it contains fluoride.

• Ideally brushing must be done after every meal. However, if this becomes difficult, make sure that you brush at least once a day.

• It is also important that you brush correctly. Choose the shape and the size of the brush that will help to clean even the innermost areas of the cheek and tongue.

• Change your brush after every 3 months no matter however new it looks.

• Try using floss as in most of the cases; toothbrush cannot do the full cleaning.

• Eat foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals like fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Ensure all medicines are duly prescribed by a doctor and administered by a pharmacist. Also, take time out to read  the instructions on the leaflets or packs of these drugs or chemicals.

If you’ve ever worried about what to do to keep healthy gums, try taking these actions. Keeping your mouth healthy and clean literally only takes a few minutes set aside every day. In the grand cheme of the week, the minutes taken to actually clean your gums is fractional. It’s time to motivate yourself to ensure healthy gums. And remember, a beautiful smile can brighten anyone’s day and boost your own confidence levels.