The gums: guardians of teeth

Teeth are vulnerable to cavities. That message gets repeated everywhere. But even intact pearly whites can be endangered if they don't have healthy gums to keep them tightly anchored.

Gum tissue, red and firm, surrounds teeth and safeguards the vulnerable roots. If your gums are in trouble, your teeth are in trouble.

"If you want to keep your teeth, you must take care of your gums," an article in the FDA Consumer Magazine stated.

Mouth bacteria must be removed from the teeth by regular brushing, flossing and trips to the dentist to catch anything you missed. If they are allowed to remain, they build up in a sticky layer called plaque. This plaque can harden into a substance called tartar, which can be removed only by professional cleaning.

When bacteria get sufficiently anchored on the teeth, they go after the gums. The plaque and tartar extend below the gum line, burrowing into the gums.

Swollen gums, which may bleed during brushing, are a sign of irritated gums, or gingivitis, the first stage of periodontal disease. If gingivitis is untreated, the gums recede, leaving gaps between them and the teeth. These gaps become filled with food debris, in which even more bacteria grow.

As the gums become bacterial breeding grounds, they can get infected. The infection wears away at the gums and even the bone. The structures that hold the teeth in place are rotting away, and the teeth become loose.

The steps to prevent this are well-known: brushing after meals and daily flossing, along with periodic trips to the dentist.

Some people need more help, because they are genetically susceptible to periodontal disease. They might consider using toothpastes and mouthwashes specifically designed to fight plaque.

Colgate Total has the distinction of being the first toothpaste approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help prevent plaque and gingivitis. It received approval in 1997 and contains triclosan, a disinfectant, as well as cavity-fighting fluoride.

Vanity and the ability to eat without dentures aren't the only reasons to take care of your gums. Recent research has shown a link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease.

Bacteria that multiply in periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and migrate elsewhere. The bacteria also release toxins that can cause blood clots, leading to heart attacks and strokes. And periodontal disease is linked with buildup of deposits in the blood vessels, causing atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. This can also cause heart attacks or strokes.

So by taking care of your gums, you will keep not only your teeth healthy, but your whole body.

The article in the FDA Consumer Magazine has more extensive advice on keeping gums and teeth healthy. Read it at .



