Gingivitis: Are your gums healthy?

One of the most sensitive topics about the human hygiene is oral health, specifically, the teeth and gums.

The teeth are essential tool used in digesting food and processing nutrients, while gums are the base which holds everything in place. These two work together with each bite, but the teeth gather much more attention than its hardworking partner, which may sometimes cause neglect of the gums.

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a mild type of gum disease caused by plaque buildup around the gums. Symptoms include gum swelling, irritation, redness, and even bleeding. This complication is prevalent among many individuals and remains commonly untreated, and eventually leads to periodontitis, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

Causes of Gingivitis

Plaque forms around the teeth and gums, which corrodes the enamel which protects your teeth from disease. Simple brushing and flossing may be able to get rid of food and plaque. Tartar, on the other hand, is what develops when plaque goes untreated. Tartar creates a protective barrier for bacteria, which hides them from regular oral hygiene methods such as brushing. Dentist intervention is advised. The following checklist provides some insight on whether or not your gums may be considered healthy or not.

You might have gingivitis if…

• your gums feel swollen • your gums bleed easily when brushing teeth • your gums are painful • your gums are soft • your gums are color red, when it should be pink

You have healthy gums if…

• your gums are pink • your gums are firm to the touch • your gums do not bleed easily when you brush • your gums do not feel swollen Visiting your dentist on a regular basis for cleaning can keep your gums healthy and prevent bacterial buildup on the teeth. RELATED: Bleeding Gums: Causes and Self-Care Tips