GUMS & GUM DISEASE Gums (gingiva) are the tissues that cover the bone around the tooth and act as a part of the supporting apparatus for teeth. Healthy gums are pink in colour with occasional brownish (melanin) pigmentation. Why are healthy gums important? Why does gum disease occur? How do I know I have gum disease? What happens if gum disease is not treated? How can I prevent gum disease? How should I maintain my oral hygiene? Why are healthy gums important? Healthy gums protect the underlying structures which hold the tooth in its place and help it bear the forces when we eat. They also add beauty to the smile. Why does gum disease occur? Gum disease primarily occurs due to accumulation of a sticky deposit called ‘dental plaque’ on teeth. Plaque contains micro-organisms which cause both gum disease and dental decay. Inadequate oral hygiene measures (improper tooth brushing, not using a dental floss etc.) lead to prolonged plaque accumulation which initiates gum disease. How do I know I have gum disease? If you experience one or more of the following you may be suffering from gum disease- Bleeding from gums Pus discharge from gums Bad breath Teeth becoming loose/ mobile. Gradual increase in spacing between teeth Gum level going down What happens if gum disease is not treated? If left untreated, gum disease spreads to the underlying bone leading to its destruction. The teeth then become mobile and eventually may exfoliate. How can I prevent gum disease? The best way to prevent gum disease is to maintain your oral hygiene. The other important thing to do is visiting your dentist regularly for oral prophylaxis. How should I maintain my oral hygiene? Oral hygiene measures should include tooth brushing, using a dental floss, using a mouth wash etc. twice a day. A medium or soft brush should be used along with a toothpaste with a roll technique or vertical strokes. Dental floss is a waxed thread that can be used manually or can be mounted on a floss holder. Single use floss picks are also available in market. Flossing is primarily done to clean the areas that are inaccessible to cleaning by a tooth brush. A mouth wash should be used according to the instructions given by your dentist. You can also use automatic devices like Waterpik.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 09:53:19 +0000
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