Taking care of your gums is important to your overall dental health. It’s also important to keep an eye on ay issues that might be developing. Unusual blisters or other abnormalities with the gum tissue could be a symptom of a tooth abscess.
Taking Care of Your Gums with Everyday Hygiene
Everyday dental hygiene, especially brushing and flossing, is the best way to keep your gums healthy. Both stimulate blood flow to the gums as well as removing food particles and plaque that could cause tooth decay and lead to serious gum disease. If you have dry mouth, are pregnant, or have dental implants, your risk of gum disease is somewhat higher, so you should be extra diligent. If you wear dentures, you should be sure to clean them thoroughly to keep food or plaque from building up between the denture and your gums.
Regular visits to the dentist are also important for preventing gum disease. Your dentist will measure the space between the gums and the teeth to ensure the gums haven’t started to draw back from the teeth. This is a sign of early gum disease, and should be treated as soon as possible to prevent serious long-term issues.
Monitoring Your Gums for Other Issues
Keeping good track of the condition of your gums can also help you discover symptoms of other possibly serious issues. Growths, blisters, or lesions on the gums can be a sign of oral cancer. Blisters can also be a symptom of a tooth abscess or of a problem with the tooth pulp. If the interior of the tooth is infected, you should see an endodontist for further evaluation.
If you do see anything unusual about your gums, from their texture to their color to bumps or white spots, be sure to let your dentist know. If you’re seeing a symptom of a more serious problem, the sooner you can have it diagnosed and treated, the more likely your treatment is to be successful.
Contact the office of Dr. Lee today to schedule an appointment!
