Gum disease can be a real problem, especially since many people don't recognize its subtle signs. This means that many people don't realize they have a problem until more severe signs, like gum bleeding, appear. If you want to keep your gums healthy, follow a good oral hygiene routine and take a look at these ways to find out if your gums are in good shape.
Color
One of the first things to change in your gums is the color when they're not healthy. Think about the last wound you had that got infected. Remember how the skin around the wound turned red? This happens to the gums when they're sick, too.
Redness occurs because the body is increasing the bloodflow to the area in an effort to beat the infection. Gums should be pink, though the exact shade can differ. If you notice that your gums appear darker or redder, it's a good sign that something is going on.
Gumline
Your gumline should tightly hug each of your teeth. This keeps bacteria and other nasty things out of the deeper areas of the tooth that can become damaged or infected by them.
There are two things to look for on your gumline. First, check that it's tight around your teeth. If there's gapping or swelling or it looks like the gums are puffing up, you probably have a problem.
Secondly, look for receding gums. These look a lot like pushed-up cuticles at first. There will be a little crease near the gumline where the gum is pulling away. Once again, this is not a good sign and requires dental attention.
Sensitivity
Finally, check your gums on occasion for sensitivity. While sensitivity due to eating, drinking, or brushing is quite noticeable once your gums get in bad shape, you can still notice early sensitivity if you know how.
During your oral hygiene habits, try lightly tapping your gums with the back of your toothbrush. You should feel the impact, but no pain. If your gums seem painful or even just slightly sensitive, consider seeing a dentist to find out if there's an issue. If they begin to bleed or darken after tapping them, this most likely means that you have more serious gum disease that definitely needs dental assistance.
Keeping your gums healthy is important for the entirety of your oral health. Make sure to visit a dentist regularly for routine dental services and follow these tips to catch gum disease early on.
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