According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about half of the people aged more than 30 suffer from bad gums, but they do not even realize it. The symptoms of bad gums include bleeding, puffiness, inflammation, gum pockets, tenderness, etc. Living with bad gums is difficult, as you may feel pain whenever you try to bite or chew certain food items.
To maintain good oral health, you must ensure that you have healthy gums. The key to good gums is brushing your teeth, flossing, and rinsing your mouth with mouthwash. If you suspect you have gum disease or bad gums, visit a family dentist in Upland, CA, today. Meanwhile, this blog will help you know whether you have good or bad gums.
Signs that you have healthy gums
- Your gums are firm and pink.
Ideally, gums are supposed to appear pink and feel firm to your fingers. They should not be white or red and should not be swollen, puffed, inflamed, or painful to touch. Your teeth or gums should not hurt at all when you bite down or chew on food. To check, glide a finger along your gum line. If they are firm and painless, you are in good health. Pay attention to your tongue and the walls at the inside of your mouth. They should be pink as well.
- Sturdy teeth and dental restorations.
A healthy gum line means your teeth will be intact and stay in place. Unless you are a kindergartener or have gum disease, there is no reason your teeth should be loose and moving around in your mouth. If your teeth move to the touch, it is a surefire sign of gum disease, and you should visit your dentist immediately. The same applies to any dental restoration work you may have done, like crowns or fillings.
- Natural-smelling breath.
People with unhealthy gums or gum disease usually experience foul breath or halitosis. You probably have healthy gums if you have natural-smelling breath hours after brushing your teeth with mint toothpaste or rinsing with peppermint mouthwash. A foul odor is an indication of bacteria under gum pockets or tooth decay.
- No blood when brushing or flossing.
Bleeding is one of the signs of gum disease or bad gums. You are good to go if you can brush and floss without spotting a single drop of blood. On the other hand, if your gums bleed regularly, you need to rush to the dentist and not ignore the condition.