If you are brushing and flossing your teeth every day, you are well on your way to having healthy gums to support your precious teeth. You will know if your gums are healthy if they are firm to the touch and a pale pink color. Generally you will also have good breath.
You will know if your gums are in trouble if they become soft, puffy, and a darker red, especially if they are bleeding. Also you may notice that your gums are receding around the gum line.
Although you may have noticed your gums bleed when you first began flossing, usually that will go away as your gums “toughen up” a bit and get used to the flossing. But if your gums persist in bleeding you might want to determine why.
Causes of bleeding gums can include infection, a vitamin D or calcium deficiency, a disease such as leukemia, medications like blood thinners and even brushing too hard. An easy fix for the latter would be using a soft grade bristle toothbrush and using circular, not sawing motions to brush the teeth and massage the gums. If you are tempted to cut down on brushing and flossing, please keep in mind that brushing and flossing are actually your first defense in preventing advanced gum disease—gingivitis and periodontitis.
Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss and bad breath. But it can also cause jawbone loss and deterioration, chronic tiredness, and even premature birth resulting in low birth rate babies.
Taking good care of your gums and teeth will ensure a lifetime of beautiful smiles. At Corona Dental we want to help you on this journey! We can be reached at 520-762-0123.