1. Defend Your Gums
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss among adults. Your gums must be strong and healthy to support your teeth. If your teeth are free of decay and strong, but your gums are diseased and weak, you may still lose your teeth. Plan your dental health strategy well so your gums will support your teeth well into old age.
2. Watch for Recession
Your gums will recede (move back or draw away) from your teeth and jaw line if disease sets into them. Here's how the process works: Food particles left in your mouth form bacteria, which invade your gum line to burrow deep into the gums and under the roots of your teeth. As your gums become irritated from the bacteria, infection may set in. Signs of infection in your gums include redness, swelling and tenderness. When you brush your teeth, you may see some bleeding. Over time, this irritation and infection may cause your gums to begin pulling away from your teeth. You'll see gaps between each tooth when this happens.
3. Learn What's Bad to the Bone
Infected gums left untreated may cause bone loss. In a worst case scenario, you may lose healthy bone support for your teeth and gums. Your jawbone may contract periodontal osteoporosis, which causes the bone to become brittle and shrink. Take care of your gums and build a healthy jawbone by getting plenty of calcium. Dairy products, dark green vegetables, almonds and salmon are all great sources of calcium.
4. Study the Connection Between Your Teeth and Your Heart
Research suggests that there is a connection between gum disease and heart disease. The plaque that causes unhealthy gums may also cause unhealthy, clogged arteries in your cardiovascular system. Plaque and disease-forming bacteria that build under your gums can leave your mouth and spread throughout your body. This is one major reason that good gum health is so important.
5. Practice Prevention
Although gum problems and gum disease may be hereditary to some extent, prevention plays an important role in maintaining healthy gums. Visit your dentist twice yearly for professional cleanings and checkups. Brush and floss your teeth at least twice each day. Brush all the way to your gum line to remove plaque. Tools such as an electric toothbrush and a water pick can invigorate your gums and keep them healthy.
