Flaunt your smile : The Tribune India

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Dr Kamlesh Desai

Gums are the foundation for strong teeth just the way roots ensure the growth of healthy strong trees. Comprehensive dental care involves not only focusing on teeth but also showing tender care to your gums. Generally, the focus in dental care is to have shiny, white, teeth but hardly any thought is spared to the well being of gums. Neglecting gums could lead to periodontal (gum) disease and if not checked in its initial stages, it can lead to severe inflammation of gums, and eventually tooth loss. In India, nearly 90 per cent adults suffer from some form of gum disease.

Worried that you may have gum disease?

Bleeding: If you happen to spot blood during and after brushing your teeth or while eating food, be cautious. Unexplained bleeding of the gums is most certainly the sign of gum disease and should not be ignored.

Red and swollen gums: Periodontal infection causes gums to swell and become tender. Red, swollen and puffy-looking gums are a dead giveaway of gum disease

Sensitivity of teeth: The first thought that comes to mind when teeth start getting sensitive is tooth decay. Chances are that the sensitivity has been caused due to the onset of gum disease and not tooth decay and needs more care than just avoiding certain foods and beverages

Bad breath: Generally, people who have this hugely embarrassing condition avoid particular foodstuffs thinking they can do away with bad breath. Presence of plaque, bacteria and decomposing food particles present in the mouth result in gum diseases that are responsible for Halitosis, also known as bad breath

Receding gum line and appearance of slightly elongated teeth: A strong indicator of periodontal disease is recession of the gums where the margin of the gum tissue pulls back, exposing more of the tooth or the tooth’s root. This is due to the bacterial gum infection that destroys the gum tissue.

Loose teeth: Destruction of the bone and gum tissue due to periodontal disease results in loose and shifting teeth. As the tissue deteriorates, there is a high chance of teeth becoming more loosely attached.

If one begins to notice any of these signs, the first step would be to switch to an effective gum care toothpaste with Zinc Citrate. Zinc Citrate protects gum and also helps reduce gum bleeding. You can consult with your dentist who will then assess and advise accordingly.

(Dr Desai is a Ludhiana-based dental surgeon)

— As told to Poonam Bindra