So what is the norm?  Pink gums that follow the curvature of the teeth are normal, red and loose gums are not.  Red gums should send out an immediate alert that something is wrong in the oral cavity.

Red gums are often the first indication of gum disease.  There are more than a million people in the world today suffering from gum disease.  Gum disease is the result of bacteria building up within the mouth.  Gum disease is classified by two stages. Those two stages are gingivitis or periodontitis.

The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis.  Gingivitis is the result of plaque build up on the teeth and gums.  If left untreated plaque irritates the gums and can result in red gums as well as a host of other problems.  If the plaque that has formed is not removed, the plaque hardens into a substance known as tartar.  Tartar is a hardened and calcified version of plaque that can only be removed by a dentist.  If the tartar is not removed, the tartar will irritate the delicate gum tissues and the second stage of gum disease will begin.

Periodontitis is the second stage of gum disease.  Periodontitis causes the gums to retract from the teeth.  As the gums retract, pockets begin to form between the teeth and gums.  These pockets make the perfect habitat for bacteria to live, thus causing an infection.  As the infection grows and spreads, the gums are destroyed as well as the bones that support the teeth.

We are not born with red gums; therefore, if we take care of our teeth and gums as we should, we should never have to deal with red gums or other oral complications.  Our gums should be pink and closely adapted to the teeth.  Healthy gums can be achieved and maintained with proper oral care.  Proper oral care includes brushing the teeth at least twice a day, before breakfast and at bedtime, as well as flossing the teeth at least once a day.  The products we use to clean our teeth with should be carefully considered as well.

In addition, it is also important to visit the dentist on a regular basis for check-ups and cleanings.  Just as we would provide routine maintenance to our vehicles, it is important to conduct preventative maintenance on our teeth.  Routine dental visits are important in order to diagnose red gums or other oral problems before they get out of hand.

Red and loose gums are unattractive and definitely not normal.  However, with just a nominal amount of care this problem is easily prevented.