What Your Gums Reveal About Your Overall Health (and Why Dentists Pay Attention)
Your gums are highly important oral structures that protect your teeth and impact the way you look. Gums can also be indicators of your overall health, which is why dentists take special care to assess them every time you go for a checkup.
If your dentist notices gum health problems, this can point to more serious issues. Learn more about what your gums could be saying about your general well-being.
What Healthy Gums Should Look and Feel Like
It’s not hard to spot healthy gums based on their color and texture. Gums should be a light or coral pink that is uniform throughout your mouth. People with higher melanin levels may have gums that are a little darker.
Gums should be firm and dense to the touch. Sometimes, they may display a slight stippling effect, the same as you would find on an orange peel. They should fit tightly around each tooth, with no pockets, and they should not pull away from the teeth.
Your gums should also not feel sore or in any way painful. When you brush and floss your teeth, you should not see any bleeding.
Common Gum Changes Dentists Notice
Your dentist can spot gum health issues right away. Bleeding gums are one of the most common warning signs of gum disease. Bleeding occurs if there is inflammation present as a result of plaque buildup. This issue is called gingivitis. Your immune system prompts the swelling in the gum area, leading them to become fragile enough that touching them causes bleeding.
Another sign of early gum disease that your dentist will notice is redness. When plaque builds on teeth and isn’t removed by brushing and flossing, it can become tartar. This irritates the gums, leading them to look very red.
Your immune system releases chemicals to fight off the bacteria, causing blood vessels in the gums to widen and increase blood flow. If the infection isn’t treated, the gums can further darken and could even look purple.
Another sign your dentist watches out for is receding gums. If this problem is present, it typically means that you have gum disease. The bacteria destroy connective tissues and bone that keep your gums attached to your teeth.
If you begin to lose bone density because of periodontal disease, then the gums don’t have an underlying structure to support them. They can start pulling away from your teeth.
How Gum Health Connects to Overall Health
Having healthy gums doesn’t just affect your oral health. Bleeding, swollen, or otherwise damaged gums can increase your risk of developing more serious health issues.
Gum disease has been linked to diabetes. The relationship is bidirectional, meaning that both conditions can trigger each other. Diabetes causes high blood sugar levels, which can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of infections. It can also reduce your saliva, so your mouth is not as efficient at neutralizing bacteria.
Gum disease can make blood sugar levels even more difficult to control because of the inflammation it causes. The disease itself could further spike blood sugar levels.
The inflammation that gum disease causes can also affect your heart valves and weaken your blood vessels.
There could also be bacterial transfer between body systems. The bacteria that cause gum disease can travel from the mouth to the bloodstream, which then attaches to the arteries and causes damage. Swelling in your mouth will always affect your overall health because it triggers systemic inflammation.
Why Dentists Pay Close Attention to Your Gum Health
Your dentist will inspect your gum area closely during every visit. They are structures that provide a fast warning that there could be oral health issues to address. Keeping an eye on them allows dentists to begin treatment, stopping gum disease in its tracks before it can cause more serious harm.
As soon as your dentist notices issues like bleeding or swelling in your gums, they can take quick action to address the problem with periodontal therapy. It’s important to stop gingivitis from getting worse and causing systemic issues.
Choose the best family dentist in Wilson.
Regular visits to your dentist can help you and your doctor prevent further harm because you’ll catch problems as early as possible. You and your family can benefit from at least two visits a year.
If you’re looking for a local family dentist in Wilson, NC, to assist you with gum health issues, look no further than our team at Dixon, Boles & Associates. We offer the comprehensive dental services you need to maintain your oral health.Ready to get started? Contact us to schedule a consultation with our dedicated team. Let’s start building an oral health plan that works for you.
