The discussion surrounding oral health tends to revolve around how to keep our pearly whites, well, white, and free of cavities.
Not much attention is given to our gums—in fact, the only time many of us remember they’re even there is when they demand our attention in the form of bleeding or swelling.
So what causes swollen gums, exactly? Usually, poor oral hygiene: “Plaque is a soft, sticky substance that constantly forms in the mouth through the day and contains millions of bacteria,” says New York City-based cosmetic dentist Catrise Austin, DDS.
“When plaque isn’t removed daily by brushing and flossing, it releases toxins that infect the gums and cause swelling.”
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You can start turning things around by brushing up on your teeth cleaning skills (pun totally intended), which involves brushing and flossing twice a day to keep plaque from camping out below the gums.
Any plaque that isn’t removed between the teeth will eventually harden, becoming tartar—which, unfortunately, can’t be dealt with by a toothbrush alone, says Dr. Austin.
° Souce : prevention.com
° Author : Krissy Brady
° Image : Wikihow