When it comes to your smile, it’s easy to focus on your teeth and forget about the rest of your gums! While the health of your teeth and mouth depend largely on oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing, the health of your gums also has an impact on the look and feel of your smile. This is why dental professionals recommend looking for signs of gum disease as part of regular dental visits, as well as getting regular home care from you at home.
What Can Happen When You Ignore Your Gum Disease?
Purple gums can be the first sign of gum disease. This is when the gum and bone around your teeth start to recede, causing the tooth to become exposed and eventually fall out. Gum disease can also cause your teeth to become loose, which makes them more likely to slip out of place or get knocked out. It’s best to visit your dentist regularly for a professional cleaning as well as any other treatments you need to stop the progression of your gum disease.
Your Gum Disease May Not Be Visible On The Outside:
You brush your teeth every day and floss regularly, so why do you have purple gums? Gum disease may not be visible on the outside, but it can still cause problems. Gum disease is often a symptom of heart disease and diabetes and can lead to receding gums, tooth loss, and bad breath. Don’t let this go unnoticed—call your dentist for a consultation.
How To Check For Signs Of Gum Disease?
Purple gums are a sign that you’re dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. The Mayo Clinic recommends drinking at least six to eight glasses of water each day, which is about 2 liters of water in total. But, if you have purple gums, drink even more!
Treating Gum Disease Takes Time:
Gum disease is a common ailment that can be hard to notice because it usually starts at the back of your mouth and progresses slowly over time. As it progresses, it changes the color of your gums from pink to purple or black. It’s important to know the signs of gum disease and to seek treatment as soon as you notice them, but don’t be discouraged if you have blotchy gums right now. With consistent care and an appointment with your dentist every six months, you can prevent gum disease and get a healthy smile!
Get Regular Cleanings From A Dental Hygienist:
The best way to maintain your teeth and gums is by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash. But it’s also important to see your dentist regularly to get cleanings from a dental hygienist. A dental hygienist will remove plaque buildup, prevent gum disease, and minimize the risk of tooth decay. A thorough cleaning should be done at least twice a year but can be done more often if necessary. Make sure you ask for an explanation of what they are doing during the cleaning so that you know when it is time to come in again.
Eat Less Sugar (It Feeds Bacteria!):
You might not know it, but your diet has a huge impact on the appearance of your teeth and gums. Sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay and gum disease. If you want to keep your smile perfect, try cutting back on sugar and processed foods to give your teeth some relief. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recommends reducing intake to less than 5 teaspoons per day.
Drink Plenty Of Water:
Drinking enough water is important for so many reasons. It helps keep your digestive system functioning properly, reduces the risk of kidney stones, helps you lose weight, and it even makes your skin more radiant. But did you know that drinking water can also reduce the appearance of blotchy purple gums?
Purple gums are caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood vessels underneath your gum tissue. When these blood vessels are too narrow, they have trouble bringing oxygen to the tissue and this causes the gums to look blotchy and purple. Drinking enough water not only keeps your body hydrated but also increases blood flow throughout your entire body including under your gumline.
Brush Before Bedtime:
Flossing is one of the most important steps to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. But, you can’t just floss once a day and be done with it. It’s important to floss after meals to remove any food particles that might have been left behind. This will help keep your teeth looking straight, white, and healthy for a lifetime.
Floss After Meals:
It’s important to floss after every meal because food particles will get stuck in between your teeth and gums, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. If you’re already doing it, great! But if not, here are some tips for getting started:
1) Get out the floss and a piece of scrap paper. Place the paper on the counter next to your sink so you don’t have to search for a place to put it when you’re done.
2) Wet the floss with warm water (not hot!) before using it on your teeth. This will help break up any chunks of food and make them easier to remove.
