The mouth is an incredible system—as your dentist in Raleigh, NC can explain to you, all of the many components inside your mouth, from the lips on the outside to the tongue that sends food down your throat, work together with amazing teamwork every time you eat a meal or have a conversation. One of those components that usually gets less attention than the others is the gums. Most of us are aware that it’s important to keep the gums healthy, and we have a vague idea that they have something to do with keeping our teeth where they belong. If you’re curious to learn more about your gums and what they actually do for you, you’ve come to the right place.
Protecting the Teeth
While it’s true that the teeth are stabilized a bit by the gums, they are not “rooted” in them. The root of each tooth is firmly planted in the bone of your jaw, giving it the strength to withstand many years of eating food and even the occasional accidental impact without coming loose. The gums serve more as a protecting covering over the potentially vulnerable point where the tooth meets the jawbone. Every time you eat a meal, tiny particles of food move around your mouth, and not all of those particles make it down your throat when you swallow. Those particles, if left on the teeth, can encourage the growth of bacteria that will eventually infect the teeth and destroy them. The gums form a barrier to these particles, preventing them from getting anywhere near the vulnerable lower part of each tooth.
Protecting Your Gums
Because the gums are the first and best line of defense against bacteria attacking your teeth, it is critical for them to stay healthy and strong. We think of our teeth as being very strong, but that’s because the part of the tooth that we see is covered with an amazingly durable layer of enamel. Behind the gums and underneath that layer of enamel is the pulp of the tooth, which is easily damaged by infections of various kinds. If your gums become compromised by an infection of their own, they will be less effective in keeping harmful particles away from that vulnerable part of the tooth. That’s why your Raleigh dentist and his team always remind you to brush your gums as well as your teeth—removing food particles from the gums on a regular basis is the key to keeping them clean and healthy.
Unhealthy Gums
One of the least-known facts about the gums is that they can be weakened and infected without presenting any obvious symptoms like pain. If you wait until your gums feel swollen and aching to make an appointment with your dentist in Raleigh, NC, it may be too late to avoid major damage. Just as heart problems can cause a heart attack with no warning, a periodontal disease can negatively affect the gums for a long time without the patient being aware of it. That’s one huge reason to see your dentist in Raleigh, NC on a regular basis, whether you are aware of an issue with your oral health or not. Catching a periodontal disease in the very early stages of development is a chance to resolve it simply and easily, avoiding the potential for a root canal or even tooth extraction because the infection made it all the way to a tooth’s vulnerable pulp.
Your Partners for Healthy Teeth and Gums
Comprehensive oral health is what we do here at New Hope Dental Care. We love helping folks achieve fantastic results for both their teeth and their often-unappreciated partner, the gums. If you have further questions about caring for your gums, or if you suspect there may be a periodontal disease affecting your gums, we invite you to get in touch with us right away. You can contact us to make an appointment through our mobile-friendly website, letting us know what day and time is most convenient for you. Protecting your gums is an essential part of protecting your teeth and your beautiful smile—let us help you do it the right way!