Many people neglect to floss each day, yet evidence increasingly suggests gum health is linked to wider wellbeing.
“People tend to think a healthy smile is all about the teeth, but gums are really the foundation of oral health,” says dentist Dr Rhona Eskander. “They support and protect your teeth, and when gums become inflamed and unhealthy, it can affect everything from sensitivity and bad breath to tooth stability and even tooth loss in advanced cases.”
While looking after your teeth and looking after your gums absolutely overlap, “they’re not identical,” she explains. “When we think about teeth, we’re often focused on protecting enamel and preventing cavities. Gum care is more about controlling plaque and inflammation around the gumline and between the teeth, where bacteria tend to accumulate.”
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Periodontal (gum) disease is increasingly being linked to other health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes, adds Dr Jenni Rawes, dentist at Ten Dental. Scientists are still figuring out the nature of this relationship. “Poor gum health also means more dental treatment over time, and that treatment is less likely to succeed. And from an aesthetic standpoint, gum recession is one of the biggest ageing factors in a smile.”
