Your Gums May Be in Trouble Even When Your Teeth Are Just Fine
It’s pretty easy to notice when a tooth isn’t doing well. A sharp twinge with something cold, a tooth that suddenly hurts when you bite: pain gets your attention. Your gums don’t always give you those same signals when trouble is brewing. They may start bleeding more easily, look puffier than normal, or gradually start pulling away from a tooth without causing any discomfort.
Your Gums Have Their Own Job to Do
Teeth tend to get all the attention, but they need a healthy support system. Your gums and the bone underneath them support your teeth, so taking care of your smile involves more than keeping your teeth cavity free.
Plaque and tartar collect around and below the gumline, where they can irritate the tissues. Early gum inflammation causes redness, swelling, or bleeding, but it doesn’t necessarily cause pain. So, when we ask whether you have noticed any bleeding while brushing or flossing, we are not just making conversation; we really want to know.
Small Changes Are Worth Mentioning
You see your smile every day, which puts you in a pretty good position to notice when something seems different. Maybe your gums bleed in one particular spot when you floss. Perhaps they look a little redder or more swollen than usual. You might notice that a tooth appears longer because the gumline has receded, or you may develop sensitivity in an area that never bothered you before. Persistent bad breath can also accompany changes in gum health.
Why Do Your Gums Change?
There are many reasons your gums might change. Plaque buildup and changes in your home care can affect your gums, so can tobacco use, certain health conditions, medications, and other factors.
Your needs can change over time too. The routine that worked beautifully for you several years ago may need a little adjustment today. Maybe an area has become harder to clean, or changes in your general health are affecting your mouth. That is why we want you to keep us updated on changes in your medical history and medications, as well as any changes you notice in your smile.
Your Teeth Don’t Have to Hurt for an Appointment to Matter
One advantage of regular hygiene visits is that we can evaluate areas you can’t easily assess at home. We can look at your gum tissues, check for signs of inflammation, remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing cannot remove, and compare what we see with previous appointments. We provide periodontal cleanings and treatment when you need additional gum care.
Sometimes everything looks healthy, and we send you on your way with a smile. We like those visits. Other times, we may notice a change before you can feel it. That allows us to talk about what is happening and what, if anything, we should do about it.
Show Your Gums a Little Love
You do not need a complicated routine to give your gums some attention. Brush thoroughly along the gumline, clean between your teeth consistently, and pay attention to what you see and feel. If we recommended a particular technique or product, keep it in your routine too.
Please don’t avoid an area just because it bleeds when you clean it. Please mention persistent bleeding so we can determine why it is happening. Your teeth may be the stars of your smile, but your gums are doing plenty of work behind the scenes. If something seems different, let us know. If it’s time for your next appointment, call our office located in Indianapolis, IN.
