A whole month devoted to our gums? If that seems a bit over-the-top, let’s take a moment to consider just how important these under-the-teeth heroes are. Because, while your healthy, confident smile is a gift you’re happy to share with the world, that smile wouldn’t be possible without healthy gums protecting your teeth and the structures which support them.
The gums are made of connective tissue covered with a mucous membrane layer. Healthy gums are firm and fit snugly around each tooth. This snug fit prevents plaque and food particles from reaching the tooth’s roots, which can cause decay. But our gums don’t just protect our teeth—they also cover and form a seal around the ligaments and bone which hold our teeth in place, protecting them from bacteria and infection.
Healthy gums are essential for healthy smiles. Give your gums the protection they deserve from the very start with some basic gum care:
Treat Your Gums Gently
Gum tissue is delicate. If you’re in orthodontic treatment, you might be tempted to brush and floss harder to keep your teeth and braces clean, but heavy-handed brushing and flossing can damage gum tissue.
- Always use a soft-bristled brush. Brush at an angle to clean away plaque where the gums meet the teeth. Floss properly to avoid gum injuries, and use floss made for braces to get teeth and gums their cleanest.
- Ask the team at Palladium Orthodontics for tips if your gums are suffering from too-vigorous brushing and flossing. A quick refresher in proper technique might make all the difference.
- Electric toothbrushes and water flossers can be very helpful for thorough and gentle cleaning around the gums—with the added bonus of making cleaning around brackets and wires easier and more effective as well.
- Orthodontic appliances might cause some gum irritation at first. As you get used to your braces, retainer, or other appliance, this problem should disappear. If pain or irritation persists, give Dr. Razavi a call for any adjustments needed to make sure your appliance fits you comfortably.
Eat a Gum-Healthy Diet
September is also the month we celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day, and “arrr” pirate friends can teach us a lesson about gum health. Life on the high seas centuries ago was never easy, and scurvy was one of the major reasons why. In its early stages, this disease caused painful, swollen, bleeding gums and tooth loss. The cause of scurvy? Too little vitamin C in sailors’ diets.
Today we realize the importance of a balanced diet for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, with nutrients from A to Z providing essential benefits:
- Vitamin A is necessary for the integrity of mucous membranes, including the gums, as they act as a barrier to infection.
- Vitamin C helps us produce collagen, which provides vital support and structure to gum tissue and helps encourage tissue repair.
- Vitamin D fights infection and reduces the inflammation which can lead to gum disease.
- Iron deficiency can cause anemia, which prevents our immune systems from working effectively to fight infection.
- Magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Zinc is important for reducing inflammation and healing wounds.
These are just a few examples! The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, dairy foods, and proteins are good for your whole body, not just your gums, so talk to your doctor if you want to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need.
Help Prevent Gum Disease
Gum disease can sneak up on you because it’s painless in its early stages. If you’re not brushing and flossing thoroughly, plaque and tartar around the gum line will build up. This buildup irritates the gums, causing redness, bleeding, and swelling—an early stage of gum disease called gingivitis.
Left untreated, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease. The gums pull away from the teeth creating pockets around them. These pockets become home to harmful bacteria which attack the ligaments and bone tissue around the teeth. Teeth become loose and eventually fall out or need to be extracted.
Fortunately, gum disease is largely preventable.
- Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and floss once a day (or more often if your orthodontist advises it) to remove plaque and prevent tartar formation.
- Evaluating your gum health is part of every dental exam, so see your dentist for an examination and a professional cleaning as often as recommended.
- Hormonal changes during puberty can leave gums at risk for inflammation and gum disease. Your dentist and doctor can work together to design a treatment plan to make sure your gums are their healthiest.
- If you show symptoms of more advanced gum disease, ask your dentist for a periodontic referral. Periodontitis is uncommon in young people, but genetic factors and certain medical conditions make some patients more vulnerable.
Quit the Habit
Smoking increases the risk of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer, as well as many other health complications. Smoking can even extend orthodontic treatment time because it slows the bone’s ability to remodel and strengthen around the teeth as they move into their new positions.
- If you’ve never smoked, don’t start.
- If you do smoke, talk to your dentist or doctor about the best ways to quit the habit. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to stopping smoking, and your care team can suggest methods which will work best for you.
Take a moment this month to review your gum health, to check for ways to improve your gum care routine, and to contact your orthodontic or dental team in Kanata, Ontario if you have any questions. After all, while your smile is the main event, your sparkling, confident smile wouldn’t be possible without healthy gums providing essential support!
