What do healthy gums look like? The easiest answer is healthy gums are pink and firm.
Gingivitis or gum disease causes redness, irritation and inflammation of the gums. The gums at the base of your tooth will appear most red and irritated. Some even see build-up around the tooth. If your gums bleed easily when you brush or floss it’s time to see your dentist. If you brush your teeth and notice tenderness or pain, this could be an indicator of gingivitis. Be sure to make an appointment with your dentist if you see any of the signs as untreated gingivitis leads to tooth loss. You can learn more about gingivitis here.
5 Easy Steps to Keep Gums Healthy [source]
- Flossing
- Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Mouthwash to kill bacteria
- Using a soft bristle toothbrush
- Routine dental visits for cleaning
3 Foods for Healthy Gums [source]
Apples – firm fruits keep teeth clean
Fiber – high fiber foods encourage extra chewing which increases saliva keeping mouth cleaner
Dairy – dairy is packed with calcium keeping teeth strong