Many of our patients are concerned about achieving a perfect smile and most of them focus on the health of their teeth. But what about the gums? Are they not important? The truth is that it is, and very much so. Their color and texture can indicate their condition. In this week’s post we are going to talk about how to tell if you have healthy gums. If you are interested, read on!
Healthy gums
Healthy gums are vital to oral health. Therefore, we always emphasize the importance of optimal oral hygiene.
In this sense, it is necessary to perform an adequate brushing that includes the internal and external part of the teeth, as well as the gums, tongue and palate. It is also advisable to use daily dental floss, mouthwash and a specific toothpaste for gum care.
Sick gums
However, on the opposite side are the diseased gums. Its appearance can be one of the main indicators of the presence of any pathology. Some symptoms of oral diseases that manifest themselves through the gums are:
- Inflamed gums: an enlarged, swollen or more prominent than usual appearance of the gums is very common throughout the population. In fact, it is often not given enough attention. In these cases, early diagnosis is essential to establish the most appropriate treatment and avoid possible complications.
- Receding gums: Periodontal disease and aggressive brushing are two of the main reasons for receding gums. Patients with this problem have lost part of the gum, leaving the root of the tooth exposed. Although it is quite common, it is advisable to visit your trusted dental clinic as soon as possible.
- Oral candidiasis: this fungal infection is caused by a fungus and is recognized by the yellowish plaques that appear on the gums. This problem is more frequent in patients with dental prostheses, newborns and people whose immune system does not work properly.
Diagnosis of gums by color
Gum color reveals information relevant to oral health:
- Coral pink gums: this color indicates that the gums are healthy, so there is no need to worry.
- White or pale pink gums: this could be an indication of anemia. Decreased hemoglobin levels result in pale gums, as well as shortness of breath and fatigue. Also, if the gums are covered with a whitish coating, it could be herpetic stomatitis, a pathology transmitted by the herpes virus.
- Bright red gums: this color determines gum inflammation. This is usually one of the symptoms of periodontal disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. In addition to redness, bleeding may be another symptom. In this case, it is advisable to see your dentist as soon as possible for a dental cleaning or root polishing.
- Dark gums: having black or brown gums may be due to:
- Ethnic or endocrine pigmentation (Addison’s disease).
- Taking antimalarials, gold salts…
- If the brown color is localized in one area of the gum, it may be an angioma.
- In case the spot is isolated, it could be a melanoma.
Diagnosis is essential to detect problems such as dental fistula.
Are you prone to gum problems?
Although gum disease affects a large part of the population, there are several groups of people who are more prone to periodontitis:
- Pregnant women.
- Diabetics.
- Smokers.
- Women in menopause period.
It is convenient to pay attention to the appearance of the gums to know if they are in a proper state. In our
dental clinic in Barcelona
we have a team of specialists in the care of the gums, which is responsible for developing comprehensive studies that allow us to diagnose and treat possible diseases.
If you are interested in knowing more information about gum care, in Puyuelo Dental Clinic we will be happy to assist you and explain in detail what guidelines you should follow.
