Are Your Gums Healthy? Here’s How You Can Tell

How healthy are your gums? If you’re like many of our patients, you may not know the answer to that question without coming in for an examination. Still, it’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of what healthy gums look like so that you know whether you need to schedule an appointment. Below, our dental team at La Jolla Family Smile Design discusses what you can watch for:

Here’s What Healthy Gums Look Like

Healthy gums are usually pink, unless you have a darker skin complexion, in which case they may be light brown or red. They should feel firm rather than soft, and they should wrap snuggly around your teeth. When you brush and floss, they should rarely bleed. Your breath should not have an unpleasant odor.

Unhealthy gums are usually easier to detect on your own. If your gums appear puffy or take on a different hue like red or purple, you may have an infection. The biggest sign is that your gums bleed frequently when you floss or brush. When you touch your gums, they may feel tender. You may also be able to feel pockets that have developed between your gums and teeth due to trapped bacteria. Over the long term, you may even notice that your teeth look longer because your gums have receded.

What Can You Do If You Have Unhealthy Gums?

If you suspect that your gums may be unhealthy, schedule an appointment with our professionals. The good news is that gum disease in its earliest stage, gingivitis, can often be reversed by improving your own oral hygiene at home. Our dental team can also help by performing scaling and root planing, a treatment that is better known as a “deep clean.” By removing the plaque and bacteria stuck underneath your gumline, we can help your gums reattach to your teeth more closely.

If you have a more advanced stage of periodontitis your gums are unhealthy. When less invasive treatments do not work, you may need surgery to rebuild your gum health and preserve your teeth. Hence, our dentists strongly recommend tackling gum issues as soon as they are discovered.

Visit La Jolla Family Smile Design for Top Notch Periodontal Care

Our dentists know that the health of your gums is just as important as the health of your teeth, which is why we make caring for your gums part of every appointment. To schedule an appointment, please call (858) 454-3044.