Red gums could signify a mild gum irritation or could be a sign of a serious gum condition such as gingivitis or periodontitis. It could be accompanied by gum sensitivity and occasional bleeding. When you have red gums, it may be time to seek immediate dental care. Remember that the longer you have to wait before you see a dentist, the bigger the damage it may cause your gums or even teeth. Your dentist may be able to assess the severity of your gum condition and could prescribe medicated mouthwash and toothpaste or antibiotics, or may even advise surgery for extreme cases.
You may wonder what causes red gums and the infection associated with it. Bacteria build-up is the number one culprit for gum infections and in effect, red gums. As bacteria increases in numbers, it secretes a filmy white substance called tartar which provides protection to bacteria as it eats through gum tissues and the bones around teeth. When not attended to immediately, tartar can harden and become plaque, which is harder to remove. It also creates pockets between teeth and gums, allowing bacteria to grow even more in numbers and making your teeth and gums susceptible to more infection, and tooth decay and loss.
While bacteria may not necessarily be bad to your dental health, an extremely high level of bacteria in the mouth can be very detrimental to your oral health. If you want to keep the bacteria level at a low rate, maintaining a good oral hygiene is necessary to keep your gums free on infection. Brushing your teeth every after meal removes food particles which could fuel the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Apart from brushing, flossing is also an important part of a good oral hygiene practice. This gets rid of hard to remove food debris which are stuck between teeth and could not be removed by brushing alone.
Vitamin deficiency can also take its toll on your dental health. Your teeth and gums also need calcium, as well as Vitamins A, B, B complex and C in order to stay strong and keep them protected from infection. Eat foods which are rich in these vitamins, such as fruits and vegetables as well as dairy products such as milk as these contain an ample amount of vitamins and minerals. You also need to cut back on sweets and starchy foods as these provide enough fuel for bacteria to grow and spread all over your mouth. Bacteria also convert sugar into acid which then causes tooth decay.