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How Well Do You Know Your Gum Health?
Healthy Smile Pharmacy bust 5 myths about healthy gums
When it comes to teeth, since childhood we’ve had it drummed into us to brush ‘em!
But with so much oral health focus on teeth, are our gums at risk of becoming the forgotten part of our oral health routine?
What are the early warning signs of gum issues?
Dismissing the early warning signs of gum issues is never ok. But it’s made more complex because there are a lot of myths that surround how healthy gums and unhealthy gums look, feel and behave.
It’s much rarer now for any of us to assume that bleeding gums are ‘just one of those things’ - they never were, they never are and they never will be!
Bleeding, soreness, inflammation and tooth sensitivity are part of the mouth’s call to arms that everything is not ok.
MYTH ONE
“If I have gum problems, I just need to brush harder”
THE TRUTH?
Gums love clean teeth but not hard scrubbing!
Gums will respond positively to your teeth being cleaner. That’s because it’s the toxins released by some plaque bacteria that inflame gums.
Less bacteria, fewer toxins, healthier gums.
It’s why oral care products with cetylpyridinium chloride are effective in gum care: it kills and inhibits bacteria so there are fewer gum irritating toxins.
But having clean teeth comes from effective brushing, not aggressive brushing.
Aggressive brushing can cause gum problems:
- Wearing away gum tissue which leads to receding gums
- Wearing away enamel where it begins to thin near the gum line
- Micro injuries to the gums causing swelling that looks like gingivitis but is mechanical damage from the brush
- Existing gum issues can get worse
How to brush teeth to be gentle on gums and effective at plaque removal
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology shows that daily mechanical plaque removal is the strongest predictor of improved gum health, not brushing force.
Effective brushing comes from:
- Using a soft-bristled brush - the VITIS Soft Access Toothbrush also includes a sample of Healthy Gums Toothpaste
- Holding it at a 45° angle to the gumline
- Using gentle, small circular motions, not scrubbing
- Not applying too much pressure
MYTH TWO
“Gum care products are all the same”
THE TRUTH?
That’s a no.
In the same way that we switch up our shampoo to suit our hair and scalp, we need to consider the needs of our gums as well as our teeth.
To support delicate gums, specific ingredients in a product’s formulations help revitalise gum tissue.
The VITIS Healthy Gums Kit offers daily care for gums.
Cetylpyridinium chloride: A clinically proven antibacterial agent that reduces gum-irritating plaque.
Zinc lactate: Known for reducing gum bleeding and helping soothe inflammation.
Pro-vitamin B5: Supports healing and helps revitalise tender gum tissue.
Fluoride (1450 ppm): Continues to protect tooth enamel while you focus on gum health. .
MYTH THREE
“It’s only a problem if your gums hurt”
THE TRUTH?
Er, it’s another nope from us! Make that a great big NOPE!
Gums are the early warning system that signal something’s not right with our oral routine. Ignoring inflamed gums just because they aren’t sore risks entering the early stages of gum disease over time.
If your gums show signs of:
- bleeding
- redness
- swelling
- or your teeth are sensitive
- and/or you’re experiencing morning bad breath
your gums are in distress.
Knowing the early signs of gum issues offers a window of opportunity to put things right
Most gum issues can be put right very easily. You already brush your teeth twice a day every day and you may well rinse in between brushing. Swapping your more regular oral care products to those that are designed to look after gums is a great choice.
Adding habits back into your routine that you might have let slip also cheers gums up and has them sitting pretty again.
Try interdental brushes, floss where the interdental brushes won’t squeeze in and learn where your brushing is effective - where it’s hit and where it’s miss - with TePe Plaqsearch Tablets. They’ll whip away plaque’s cloak of invisibility and reveal older plaque in blue and newer in red so you can see where you might be inadvertently skimping with the brushing.
MYTH FOUR
“Everyone’s gums bleed a bit”
THE TRUTH?
Please switch lanes if you think this! Bleeding gums are key early sign of gingivitis.
Yes, plenty of people’s gums bleed but that’s because their gums are trying to communicate the stress they’re under.
Some people have more sensitive gums ‘courtesy’ of genetics (thanks, mum!) while others might experience fleeting episodes of bleeding if, for example, they’ve been taking certain antihistamines for an allergy.
Those who are diabetic, pregnant, perimenopausal or menopausal, taking blood thinners or immunosuppressant medications have a higher risk of bleeding gums but none of these are a reason to ignore bleeding.
If you smoke or vape, there’s also strong evidence to suggest that the microbiome of your gum tissues is compromised. Alarmingly, smokers’ gums might not bleed even when they are in jeopardy.
Visit the dentist regularly and make full use of your hygienist
They’re an outstanding tag team to support you with your gum health. Don’t be inclined to ‘just hang on’ until your next routine appointment. Although gum disease is a distant result of ignoring bleeding gums, it’s not a road that you want to follow. Gum disease, in its most serious form, can lead to tooth loss.
Stay on the right side of the road by swapping products to a VITIS Healthy Gums Kit.
Make that appointment in solidarity for your gum health.
MYTH FIVE
“My gums don’t know if I’m stressed”
THE TRUTH?
Your gums may not, but the hormones that regulate inflammation will!
It’s easy to believe stress is something that we experience because modern life is busy. We can forget that ‘stress’ creates change in our body led by the hormone cortisol. Normally, cortisol reduces inflammation but under chronic stress, the receptors for cortisol become immune to it, indirectly leading to inflammation.
Stress also weakens the immune system and bleeding gums provide an entry point for pathogens to the body.
The takedown on stress is a tough one but loving your gums can be one act of achievable self-care.
Go on, show them you know they (and you) are precious! Subscribe to a Healthy Gums Kit.
