Why are your gums so important?

Do you ever wonder why your gums are so important? And not just to your teeth, but why are your gums so important to your overall health? Gums, or gingiva, are an essential part of your oral and dental health, but having health or unhealthy gums can also play an important role in your overall health and wellbeing.

What do gums do for your oral and dental health? For starters, your gums encase your teeth, teeth roots and the bones of your jaw. These soft encasements provide protection against harmful bacteria or debris, protect your tooth roots from exposure, and create support for the overall structure of your teeth and mouth. Your mouth is actually a complex eco-system of bacteria, both helpful and harmful, so the protection that your gums provide for your teeth is absolutely essential…if you want to keep your teeth, that is. So without your gums covering the vulnerable root of your tooth, food debris and bad bacteria could easily find their way into the root and cause instability and ultimately tooth loss.

But in addition to protecting your oral and dental health, your gums are also teeming with tiny blood vessels that can potentially transport harmful bacteria throughout the rest of your body. Since your mouth is the warm and cozy home to over 700 different kinds of bacteria (again, some good and some bad), prioritizing healthy gums and preventing or treating gum disease is a way of investing in your overall health. Untreated gum disease can actually pave the way for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. Researchers say that, over time, this can result in damaged heart and brain blood vessels, while other studies have shown the association between gum disease and other serious health problems. Many of these studies cannot prove a particular cause and effect relationship, but the correlative relationship is undeniable.

Healthy gums then provide strong protection for your teeth and your overall health, while unhealthy gums actually pose a serious risk to more than just your teeth. The good news is that healthy gums are always a possibility and prioritizing periodontal health is always a good idea. If you are looking for a periodontist in Dallas who specializes in exceptional care and providing you with the experience and expertise you deserve, call board-certified periodontist and implant specialist, Dr. Charles Orth, today.