When it comes to your smile, your teeth usually take center stage. However, the real star of the show may be your gums. Your gums provide the framework that supports your teeth, and while the health of your teeth is vital, you should not neglect your gum health either. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your gums are as healthy as possible at any age.
Infancy and Early Childhood
Each time you feed your baby, wipe their gums afterward with a washcloth. This helps keep their gums as pink and healthy as possible. The motion also helps get your baby used to having their gums cleaned. What if your baby does not have pink gums? Some people with a lot of melanin in their skin, such as people with African-American or Latinx heritage, may have dark brown gums, so do not worry.
As your child grows, you can teach them proper brushing techniques for their teeth and gums to keep them healthy. You will need to monitor their teeth brushing for a while to make sure they are brushing both their teeth and their gums.
Early Adulthood
As you enter late adolescence and early adulthood, you should remember to brush and floss twice a day. Look at your gums for signs of irritation or swelling. If your gums bleed when you brush them, this could be an early sign of gingivitis, which is gum disease. If you are concerned, you may have the early stages of gum disease, and you need to talk with our dentist about how to change your brushing habits to ensure you can eliminate it.
Late Adulthood
One of the main reasons senior adults lose teeth is gum disease. Our dentist will continue to monitor the health of your gums each time you visit. If you have periodontal disease, which is increasingly likely as you age, you may need to come in to see us more frequently for gum cleaning to make sure you continue to have healthy gums for life.
Not sure about the health of your gums? We can help. Reach out to us today for an appointment.
About Us | Hillsboro, OR | Cornell Dental Above all else, we here at Cornell Dental want our patients to maintain healthy, bright, and beautiful smiles. Learn more how we can do that here! Cornell Dental, 5880 NE Cornell Rd. Suite A, Hillsboro, OR 97124 - (971) 397-6196 - cornell-dental.com - 10/1/2024 - Associated Words: dentist Hillsboro OR -
When it comes to your smile, your teeth usually take center stage. However, the real star of the show may be your gums. Your gums provide the framework that supports your teeth, and while the health of your teeth is vital, you should not neglect your gum health either. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your gums are as healthy as possible at any age.