To enjoy a healthy body, you know to engage in a healthy lifestyle, such as exercising and following a healthy diet. But did you know that the health of your gums can affect your overall health? In fact, keeping your gums healthy is an important part of protecting the health of your body. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to protect, or restore, the health of your gums.
Your gums are actually a protective layer that keeps bacteria away from the bones that support your teeth. When healthy, your gums seal your teeth, helping to prevent harmful bacteria from entering your bloodstream. Fortunately, if you simply brush your teeth faithfully at least twice each day, floss daily, and visit our dentist once every six months, your gums should stay healthy.
Typically, unhealthy gums are caused by plaque. Plaque forms when food particles aren’t removed from your gums. If this plaque isn’t removed, it will release toxins that can irritate your gums and lead to a number of serious conditions.
Eventually, unhealthy gums lead to gum disease, which can result in tooth loss, chronic bad breath, sensitive teeth, and shifting teeth. Fortunately, there are non-surgical periodontal therapies you can rely on if your gum disease isn’t severe. For example, a simple cleaning or an improved at-home oral hygiene regimen may be enough to reverse gum disease.
If you have any questions about the state of your gums or are needing to set up an appointment with our team, please feel free to contact our experienced team in Mesa, Arizona, by calling 480-830-8946. Dr. Kent Stapley or Dr. Nathan Kitchen will examine your mouth and offer you the appropriate treatment for your needs.
