What makes your gums unhealthy?

Plaque can be one of the main reason’s behind unhealthy gums, as the bacteria from it can cause infections and lead to many other serious dental diseases. For your gums to stay healthy, you need to develop healthy dental hygiene if you don’t have one already. Brushing your teeth daily is a good way to start. Also, ensure that you use an antibacterial mouth wash and floss daily.

Floss is important because it reaches areas like your gum line where your toothbrush may struggle to reach. What we consume is also very important, as eating foods that are high in sugar and starch all the time can be bad for your dental hygiene. If you reach a stage where you have too much plaque, it can irritate your gums and can lead to diseases like gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth loss.

There are other factors though that can cause harm to your gums, including:

1. Changes in hormones – hormonal changes often occur during pregnancy, menopause and menstruation periods in women. This can affect your gum’s sensitivity, which can lead to gingivitis to develop. Additionally, in men and women, the hormonal changes during puberty can also cause an imbalance that makes your gums sensitive and susceptible to gum disease.
2. That little bit of Nicotine – smoking can affect your gum tissue and this makes it harder for your gums to repair themselves, which in turn makes it easier for them to get infected by bacteria.
3. Poor hygiene routine – as easy as it sounds to brush and floss your teeth daily, the hectic lives we live may make it seem difficult, so you need to be careful with your dental routine and make sure you stick to it. Not brushing or flossing makes it easy for gingivitis to develop.

Do your teeth need more attention than your gums?

Your teeth are just as sensitive as your gums; they need daily attention and care. There a few ways you can make sure that you’re taking good care of your teeth to avoid them being infected. Here are a few symptoms that could be a warning sign of problem teeth:

1. Toothache – this could be an indication that you have a cavity or gum disease. Or, it could also be a sign of an abscess or impacted tooth. If it’s not treated, you could end up losing your tooth.
2. Cracked or broken teeth – brittle teeth are an indication that is suffering from some deficiency. Using x-rays, we’re able to determine the problem that often can’t be seen by the naked eye, particularly if there are small cracks present. If you experience any pain while chewing, book an appointment with us so we can do a full check up to find out the cause.

Looking after your gums and teeth in Townsville and Ayr

Even if you maintain a healthy oral routine, it’s imperative to have regular dental checkups where you can have your teeth professionally cleaned. If you would like to book an appointment with All About Teeth, your local Townsville dentist, or make an enquiry, please feel free to contact us today.