Keeping your gums healthy

Abstract

If you do not take care of your gums (Box), you can develop gum disease. Gum disease can develop when a thin layer of bacteria, called plaque, is allowed to collect along the gumline and between the teeth. This can cause your gums to swell and bleed and, if left untreated, can even cause tooth loss. There are mild forms of gum disease that may be reversed if caught early and more severe forms that involve specialized treatment from a dentist.Box.Caring for your gums.Here are some things you can do at home to help prevent gum disease:▪Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time. Using a toothpaste with fluoride will help reduce your risk of cavities, too.▪Clean between your teeth once a day with floss, floss holders, water flossers, or special sticks, brushes, or picks designed for cleaning between your teeth.▪Avoid tobacco.▪Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and an examination. Here are some things you can do at home to help prevent gum disease:▪Brush your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time. Using a toothpaste with fluoride will help reduce your risk of cavities, too.▪Clean between your teeth once a day with floss, floss holders, water flossers, or special sticks, brushes, or picks designed for cleaning between your teeth.▪Avoid tobacco.▪Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and an examination. Mild gum disease is called gingivitis. It may cause your gums to become red and swell. They may even bleed. Fortunately, this form of gum disease can often be stopped in its tracks with a professional dental cleaning followed by improved care of your teeth and gums at home. More severe cases of gum disease are called periodontitis (pare-ee-oh-DON-tie-tis). Periodontitis develops when plaque builds up under the gumline and between the teeth. Sometimes this plaque hardens into a substance called tartar, which traps plaque beneath the gumline. The bacteria in the plaque produce acid and toxins that cause the gum tissue to become infected and inflamed. Your body reacts to this swelling, and the connection of the gum tissue to the supporting bone can break down. This forms pockets where plaque can collect further, and, if left untreated, the bone that holds your teeth can start to break down. Only a dentist can treat periodontitis. He or she uses a special tool that scrapes the tartar off your teeth and then smooths the bone, which allows your gum tissue to reattach. Once you have had periodontitis, you are at risk of developing it again. For this reason, you may need to schedule more frequent dental visits. In addition to red, swollen, and bleeding gums, other signs of gum disease may include the following:▪gums that have pulled away from the teeth, causing teeth to look longer▪bad breath or bad taste that will not go away▪permanent teeth that are loose or separating▪a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite▪a change in the fit of partial dentures Some things increase the risk of developing gum disease. In addition to poor care of your mouth at home, examples include the following:▪smoking or chewing tobacco▪crooked teeth that are hard to keep clean▪diabetes▪hormonal changes, like pregnancy▪medications, including steroids, certain types of antiepilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives Gum disease is caused by plaque that builds up along your gumline, which can break down the tissues (including bone) that help hold your teeth in place. Left untreated, gum disease can cause teeth to become loose and fall out or to have to be removed. Taking care of your teeth and making regular visits to your dentist can help prevent gum disease.