What is gum health? Gum health refers to having healthy gums or a good status of the gingiva (gums) so that teeth are well-supported. Healthy gums lead to increased chances for long-term oral health. If we do not maintain healthy gums, we are more likely to have gum disease, which can progress to several problems with our teeth and oral health. Oral hygiene practices for healthy gums Practicing good oral hygiene is the most important action that a person can take to prevent gum disease and maintain healthy gums. Most people tend to overlook their gums when it comes to oral health and focus on getting a bright, white smile instead. Following are some oral hygiene practices that we should follow for the maintenance of healthy gums: 1. Brush teeth regularly Brush your teeth after every meal. This helps remove the food and plaque trapped between your teeth and gums. Scrubbing our tongue is important, too, since it can harbor bacteria. The toothbrush should have soft bristles and fit in your mouth comfortably. Swap toothbrushes or toothbrush heads every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles start to fray. Brush at least twice a day. 2. Choose the right toothpaste Store shelves are lined with many kinds of toothpaste. So when choosing a toothpaste, a person should ensure that it contains fluoride and has the ADA seal of approval on the packaging. The flavor is your own choice. 3. Floss daily Many people neglect daily flossing, but this habit is an important part of oral care. This should be done at least once a day Flossing removes food and plaque from between the teeth and gums. If the food and plaque remain in these areas, this can lead to tartar, which is a hard build-up of bacteria that only a dentist can remove. Tartar can lead to gum disease. 4. Rinse your mouth out with care Many people rinse their mouths out after brushing their teeth. However, oral hygiene practices should complement the effectiveness of fluoride products, such as toothpaste. When a person washes their mouth out with water after brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, they wash away the fluoride. Conversely, when a person rinses their mouth out after eating, they may rinse away food and bacteria that can lead to plaque and tartar. 5. Use mouthwash Therapeutic mouthwashes can help reduce plaque, prevent or reduce gingivitis, reduce the speed that tartar develops, or a combination of these benefits. A rinse helps remove food particles and debris from your mouth, though it’s not a substitute for flossing or brushing. 6. Get regular dental checkups Dental checkups typically include professional cleaning of the mouth. Professional cleaning is the only way to remove tartar from the teeth. Professional cleaning can also help eliminate the plaque that a person may have missed when brushing their teeth. 7. Stop smoking Smoking makes a person more susceptible to gum disease because it weakens the immune system. The CDC recommends quitting smoking immediately to help reduce the risk of developing gum disease. The use of other tobacco products can also increase a person's risk.

Dangers of gum neglect A person’s mouth contains millions of microscopic bacteria, although not all of which are harmful to the human body. However, it does not take long before harmful bacteria in the mouth make contact with food particles and mucus to form a sticky, hardened substance known as plaque which gives rise to gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis is what generally causes mild bleeding and swollen gums. If left untreated, this mild form of gum disease can develop into a more severe type. Periodontitis occurs when the bacteria reach deep below the gum line and attack the bone and tissues. In advanced cases of periodontitis, teeth may be lost or extracted. The problem of losing teeth through tooth loss or extraction is more than a cosmetic issue or procedural pain. Missing teeth can speed up the destruction of the jawbone and can cause the remaining teeth to shift, causing crowding or gapping and an uneven or misaligned bite. Besides having embarrassing gaps in your smile, tooth loss will also compromise chewing and clear speech. Gum disease and tooth decay are also interrelated in some cases. As plaque weakens and deteriorates your gums, the teeth in which the jaw bone supports can also become vulnerable to infection and disease. Besides impacting your oral health, recent studies have even linked periodontitis to serious medical conditions like diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Indeed, gum disease is perhaps one of the most overlooked problems facing healthcare today. Research now suggests that the bacterium that causes gum disease can travel through our bloodstream and invade various organs in our body, worsening existing conditions. The fact that this process can take many years makes it more difficult to track or notice – hence gum disease has come to be rightly called the silent enemy. Gum diseases Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Following are some gum diseases: 1. Gingivitis The most common gum problem is gingivitis and is found in over 50% of the adult population. Gingivitis is defined as ‘inflammation of the gums. Signs of gum inflammation include bleeding during toothbrushing, swollen-looking gums, and red gums. Healthy gums generally appear firm, coral-pink, and do not bleed with stimulation. Gums can appear dark from pigmentation in certain populations, and this is considered normal. 2. Periodontitis The second most common gum problem is periodontitis. Periodontitis exhibits similar signs to gingivitis, except it also results in gum tissue and jawbone loss. The damage of periodontitis is particularly concerning in that the loss of gum tissue and bone loss cannot be recovered. Periodontitis typically progresses over time and may not produce painful symptoms until the disease reaches the later stages of damage. 3. Gum recession A common adult gum problem is gum recession. Gum recession is when the tooth's root (or cementum) becomes exposed as the gum line pulls away from its original attachment. This could be a result of gum disease as the jawbone surrounding the teeth is lost. Wherever jawbone is lost, gums will follow, and this exposes the root of the tooth. Exposed roots can be sensitive to temperature, are more prone to decay, and can present a cosmetic concern. Other causes for gum recession include teeth grinding, use of chewing tobacco, brushing too aggressively, hereditary weak gums, orthodontic treatment, or trauma. 4. Gum abscess Another gum problem is a gum abscess (periodontal abscess). It presents as a blister or a bump in the gum that contains pus. It is caused by a bacterial infection that takes place in a deep gum pocket and causes pain and swelling. 5. Oral cancer A less common gum problem, oral cancer can occur on all soft-tissue structures within the mouth. It may appear as a red or white patch or a sore that does not heal on the gums.

Treatments Some of the dental treatments described here are recommended if you have gum disease. 1. Scale and polish To remove plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) that can build up on your teeth, your dentist may suggest that you have your teeth scaled and polished. This is a "professional clean" usually carried out at your dental office by a dental hygienist. The dental hygienist will scrape away plaque and tartar from your teeth using special instruments, then polish your teeth to remove marks or stains. If a lot of plaque or tartar has built up, you may need to have more than one scale and polish. 2. Root planing In some cases of gum disease, root planing (debridement) may be required. This is a deep clean under the gums that gets rid of bacteria from the roots of your teeth. Before having the treatment, you may need to have a local anesthetic (painkilling medication) to numb the area. You may experience some pain and discomfort for up to 48 hours after having root planing. 3. Surgical treatment If you have severe gum disease, you may need further treatment, such as periodontal surgery. In some cases, it's necessary to remove the affected tooth. Your dentist will be able to tell you about the procedure needed and how it's carried out. 4. Antibiotics Treatment with antibiotics, such as metronidazole or amoxicillin, may be recommended if you have any kind of gum disease. You'll usually have to take these for three days. Amoxicillin is not suitable for people allergic to penicillin. Side effects can include feeling sick, vomiting, and diarrhea. 5. Painkillers Paracetamol and ibuprofen are the most commonly prescribed painkillers. They're also available over the counter from pharmacies. They may help reduce pain and discomfort. 6. Stopping smoking Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for gum disease. Giving up smoking can greatly improve your oral hygiene.