Red Gums and Gum Disease

If, after brushing your teeth, you notice red gums, make an appointment to see your dentist. Do not ignore them. Red gums indicate you are facing what could become a serious dental problem. This is gum disease.

Gum Disease
Gum disease is a problem common among adult North Americans. It is the direct result of a poor diet combined with improper oral hygiene practices. These factors create the perfect environment for the culprit behind gum disease – bacteria. Bacteria normally reside in your mouth. It stays there both good and bad until other factors cause it to grow.

The bacteria accumulate in your mouth. They feed off any extra food particles – food left when you do not brush your teeth properly. If you fail to clean your teeth or rinse your mouth, the bacteria multiply. They increase around teeth and in mouth recesses. Bacteria begin to infect the mouth, starting with plaque.

Plaque is a filmy, whitish sticky substance. It covers your teeth making them feel slimy. As the bacteria continue to grow, it produces more plaque. Eventually, tartar also forms. By this time, your gums and teeth have also been directly affected. The once healthy pink gums are swollen, bright, shiny and red. They are tender to the touch. You may also notice bright or dark blood when you brush or chew harder food. The teeth seem to be farther apart or loose. What you have is a serious case of gum disease.

Gum disease comes in 2 types or stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Treatment for the former is easier and less expensive than it is for the latter. You can remedy the problem of gingivitis but severe gum disease is irreversible. You cannot get rid of it easily. Yet, you can avoid red gums and gum disease by employing proper hygiene.

A Proper Oral Hygiene Routine
It is not difficult to establish and follow a proper oral hygiene routine. It is less expensive than a dental procedure. It is also relatively simple. It is a very effective treatment if you stick to it. The following comprises the basic steps of a proper oral hygiene routine:

• Brush your teeth after every meal using a toothbrush with the proper bristle texture and recommended toothpaste. For the toothpaste, you can choose from commercial name brand, no name and even natural products.
• Floss every day. This helps remove the amount of food particles responsible for the right environment for bacteria
• Rinse frequently, particularly just before. In picking a mouthwash, ignore those containing alcohol. Alcohol results in dry mouth, a condition encouraging bacterial growth
• Always look to see if your gums and teeth are healthy. If you see red gums or notice bleeding, arrange to see your dentist as soon as possible
• Visit your dentist once a year for a check-up
• See your dentist or oral hygienist for a tooth cleaning preferably twice a year

Instituting a system of proper oral hygiene will help you avoid the causes of red gums and, therefore, gum disease.

Conclusion
There is a connection between red gums and gum disease. In fact, red gums are a sign of gum disease. It warns you that you have a dental problem. You can easily remedy the situation before it becomes severe if you employ proper oral hygiene.