Gums play a larger role in the look of your smile than you might think.
People tend to think about improving their teeth as a way to achieve a more beautiful smile, and oftentimes overlook the importance of gum health. Many people don’t realize that gums actually play a crucial role in the beauty of your smile. Poor gum health can lead to a number of problems that will impact the look and feel of your mouth. Here are a few easy ways to improve your gum health.
Why Gums Matter
We often are told about gum disease, but not many fully understand what it is. A leading cause of tooth loss, gum disease is an annoying infection that can cause complications for your teeth and the surrounding tissues in your mouth. Worse, the disease doesn’t cause pain, so many people don’t even know they have it.
When plaque doesn’t get removed through proper brushing and flossing, gum disease can occur. Bleeding gums, swollen/red gums, bad breath, loose teeth, and receding gums are all indications that a person may have gum disease. When the disease becomes more advanced, it becomes a condition known as periodontitis. Periodontitis can lead to more severe complications like loss of bone, teeth, swollen gum tissue, and periodontal pockets.
How to Improve Gum Health
When it comes to improving gum health, proper brushing and flossing techniques are essential. When brushing, be sure to hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle with your gumline. Moving the brush back and forth in short gentle strokes, brush the front and the back of your teeth and gums. Use the tip of the brush to get behind your teeth. Also remember to brush your tongue, as that will help keep your mouth fresh. Most importantly though, schedule regular visits with your dentist in order to check up on gum health and prevent gum disease.
Professional Dental Care from Annapolis Dental Care
If you want to schedule your next visit, please contact Annapolis Family Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today! We can give you more information, or schedule your appointment. Our diligent knowledge of all dental treatments and extensive experience in all fields of dentistry, ensure Annapolis Dental is best suited to care for your oral health. You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.