Why Gum Health Is Important For Your Mouth And Body
When you visit a dentist, he or she is not only concerned about the health of your teeth. While a dentist cares about your teeth, the dentist also cares about your gums and other parts of your mouth. The health of your gums is important for many reasons and can reveal a lot about the condition of your mouth. Here are a few things to understand about the health of your gums.
Gum Health Is Important For Your Teeth
Healthy gums are sufficient in amount and are pink in color. Healthy gums generally do not bleed from brushing or flossing, and they are not inflamed, sore, or red. The gums in your mouth serve several purposes, but one of the main ones is to hold your teeth in place. Even though your gums are relatively soft, they are capable of providing the extra support your teeth need to avoid moving out of place.
Gum health is also important for your teeth because the health of your gums can represent the health of your teeth. If you do not have any cavities in your mouth, and if your teeth are healthy overall, your gums are more likely to be healthy. On the opposite side of this, if you have unhealthy gums, it is very likely that you may also have problems with your teeth, such as cavities.
Gum Health Is Important For Your Jawbone
When gums begin to experience problems, such as bleeding or recession, they can affect the strength and mass of your jawbone. Healthy gums not only protect your teeth and hold them in place, but they also protect your jawbone. As gums recede, bacteria can work its way into your jawbone. If this happens, it can lead to a loss of jawbone or an infection in the bone. Losing mass in your jawbone can lead to losing teeth, and it can affect the structure of your face. If you want to avoid problems with your teeth and jawbone, you must take your gum health seriously.
Gum Health Is Important For Your Overall Health
You may understand how the health of your gums can affect your teeth and jaw, but did you realize that your gum health can also impact factors related to your overall health? If you have gum disease and do not know about it or treat it, you could be at a higher risk for developing cardiovascular problems.
Cardiovascular disease can result from untreated gum disease, and this happens when bacteria from your mouth moves into your bloodstream. Gums become unhealthy from bacteria that is left on the teeth too long. Bacteria on your teeth work into your gums, and this is what leads to receding gums. Once this happens, the bacteria can work into the bone and the bloodstream. If you want to reduce your risks of developing cardiovascular disease, you must not leave gum disease untreated.
Untreated gum disease can also lead to respiratory infections, and this is a result of bacteria you breathe in through your throat from your mouth. The bacteria can end up in your lungs, and this can lead to infections.
The best way to find out the health status of your gums is by visiting a dentist. If you visit a dentist twice a year, you are more likely to be able to detect gum disease at an early stage, and treating it at an early stage will be much easier. In addition, good daily oral habits can also be a good remedy for preventing gum problems. If you would like to learn more about this, schedule a visit with a dentist today.