7 Reasons to be Thankful for Healthy Gums

Fuquay Family Dentistry in Fuquay-Varina has been reflecting on things in our lives we are thankful for. One often overlooked, but important thing to be thankful for this season is healthy gums. Our gums play a large role in the health of our mouths and our bodies. Having healthy gums reduces the risk of gum disease, tooth loss, and serious systemic issues like heart disease and stroke. Here are seven reasons to be thankful for healthy gums: 

1. Fresh breath

One of the negative results of periodontal disease is foul-smelling breath. If your gums are infected it is likely because of a buildup of bacteria and plaque. Plaque forms when the foods you eat get trapped and decompose in the mouth. The bacterial growth and decomposing food particles cause persistent bad breath. If your gums are healthy bad breath is easy to remedy and isn’t (in most cases) chronic. 

2. Healthy teeth

Healthy gums are an important part of a healthy mouth. Gums hold teeth securely in place and provide a seal, preventing food particles and debris from penetrating the tooth root. However, if you have gum disease, it means the seal protecting the teeth is inflamed, infected, and possibly pulling away from the tooth. This allows food and debris to get trapped and continue the infection process. If you stick to a good home care routine and go to the dentist regularly, your chances of maintaining healthy gums are higher. 

3. Better memory

They have associated gum disease with Alzheimer’s disease:
A new study from Chung Shan Medical University in Taichung City has determined that people who have had periodontitis for over 10 years are 70% more likely than people without periodontitis to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
While the study did not say gum disease causes Alzheimer’s or vice versa, there is a correlation. 

4. Save money

If your gums need extra attention at the dental office, it will cost you. People with gum disease typically require special deep cleaning procedures to remove the buildup beneath the gumline. The procedure, called scaling and root planing, isn’t always covered by insurance and long-term can prove expensive, costing anywhere from $400-4000 dollars for a full mouth cleaning. 

5. Save time

If your gums are healthy, you will spend less time in the dental chair. As mentioned in #4 the scaling and root planing procedure not only costs more than a regular cleaning, it takes more time. Appointment times vary depending on your case and your dentist, but one thing is for sure, if you keep your gums healthy you won’t be spending extra time in the dental chair. 

6. Healthier pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormone changes can put women at higher risk for gum disease. In addition, pregnant women with gum disease have a higher risk of pre-term or low-weight birth. With the increased susceptibility to inflammation of the gums during pregnancy and the risks associated, it’s important to stay diligent in your oral health during pregnancy. Be sure to see Dr. McCormick and let them know if you are pregnant. 

7. Happy dental appointments 

There is no better feeling than leaving a dental appointment hearing: “Everything looks great!” Patients who attempt to care for their gums are more likely to hear those words and man does it feel good! If you are experiencing bleeding gums when you brush or floss, or if your gums are red or swollen, please call us today to see if you are in the early, and very treatable, stages of gum disease. The earlier Fuquay Family Dentistry intervenes the more thankful you’ll be, so schedule an appointment today! 

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.