Gum Care Awareness: Why It Matters + 7 Steps to Healthier Gums

Did you know your gums are super important? They help keep your teeth in place! Let’s learn how to take care of them.

Why Gum Health Matters

Almost half of grown-ups have gum problems. That’s a lot of people! When your gums are not healthy, it can hurt your whole body.

Gum disease can make other health problems worse:

• Heart problems
• Diabetes (high blood sugar)
• Body pain

Gum disease is the 6th most common health problem in the world. We need to take care of our gums!

Signs Your Gums Need Help

How do you know if your gums need help? Look for these signs:

Early Warning Signs:

• Bleeding when you brush teeth
• Red or puffy gums
• Bad breath that won’t go away

Big Warning Signs:

• Gums pulling back from teeth
• Loose teeth
• Pain when chewing
• Pus between teeth and gums

7 Easy Steps for Healthy Gums

Step 1: Brush Better

Use a soft toothbrush. Hold it at a 45-degree angle. Brush two times every day.

Step 2: Floss the Right Way

Wrap floss in a “C” shape around each tooth. Don’t saw back and forth. Flossing cuts gum bleeding by 52% in just two weeks!

Step 3: Use Special Mouth Wash

Pick one that kills bad germs but doesn’t have alcohol if your mouth feels dry.

Step 4: Chew Sugar-Free Gum

This makes more spit in your mouth. Spit helps clean your teeth! Chew for 20 minutes after meals to cut down bad stuff by 40%.

Step 5: Stop Smoking

People who smoke are two times more likely to get gum disease. Quitting helps your gums get better.

Step 6: Eat Foods That Help Gums

Eat foods with:

• Vitamin C (oranges, strawberries)
• Leafy greens (spinach, kale)
• Crunchy veggies (carrots, celery)

Step 7: See the Dentist Twice a Year

The dentist can clean off hard stuff that your toothbrush can’t remove.

When Gums Pull Back (Recession)

Gum recession means your gums are pulling back from your teeth. This can happen because:

• Brushing too hard
• Teeth grinding
• It runs in your family

How to Help:

• Try oil pulling (swish coconut oil in your mouth)
• Take vitamin C
• See your dentist for special cleaning

For very bad cases, you might need a gum graft. This is when the dentist adds new gum tissue.

Special Gum Care for Different People

For Pregnant Women

Hormones during pregnancy can make gums swell. Pregnant women with gum problems are 3 times more likely to have babies too early.

For People with Diabetes

When blood sugar is under control, you have 50% fewer gum infections. Take extra good care of your gums if you have diabetes.

For Older Adults

68% of older adults have gum problems. As we get older, our gums need extra care. Use soft picks instead of hard floss.

Using Technology for Gum Health

New tools can help your gums!

• Water flossers cut plaque by 29% more than string floss.
• Teledentistry (talking to dentists online) helped reduce gum swelling by 30% for people in rural areas.

When to Call the Dentist Fast

Call your dentist right away if:

• Gums bleed for more than one week
• Teeth feel loose
• You see bumps or sores on your gums

Questions People Ask

Cost of Gum Care

Every $1 spent on preventing gum problems saves $50 in treatments later.

This is why brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups are so important!

Take Action Today!

1. Find a dentist near you using the ADA’s Find-a-Dentist tool.
2. Look for low-cost clinics if you don’t have insurance.
3. Try a water flosser like Waterpik Water Flosser if regular floss is hard to use.

Remember: Most adults have gum problems but only 60% get help. Don’t wait until it hurts!

More Ways to Protect Your Gums

• Try an electric toothbrush for better cleaning.
• Consider a custom night guard if you grind your teeth.
• Use special toothpaste made for gum health.

Let’s keep our gums healthy to keep our smiles bright!