Our gums are visually located under our teeth on the bottom half of our mouth and above our teeth on the top half of our mouth. They are composed of soft tissue, although gums are firm to the touch. The dental term for gums is gingiva. The gingiva covers the bones that hold the teeth in the mouth. Our gums keep our teeth in place. They also provide a barrier against bacteria and the roots of our teeth.
Healthy gums appear pink and firm. They are relatively uniform in color and follow the curve of the tooth. Healthy gum tissue, which is not inflamed, can appear scalloped next to the tooth.
Changes in Gum Appearance and What That May Mean
If your gums appear bright red and bleed easily, you should give our office a call. You may notice your gums bleed most often when you brush or floss. Let us know when you notice the bleeding. Similarly, if your gums are swelling or pulling away from your teeth, you may have a problem we should know about. If these gum problems are happening and you sense you have bad breath, you may have an infection.
Infection is one of the top reasons your gums may be swelling. If you think you might have an infection, please contact our office immediately.
If you have had an injury to your face, your gums may swell. This is normal for a trauma situation, but you should still seek our professional opinion as other complications in your mouth may be present.
Call Our Office Right Away
Call our office right away if you notice swelling or any other abnormalities in your gums. We are here to help you. We will talk to you about your gums and how we can treat it.
About Orland Dental Care | Orland Park, IL Dentist Dedicated to serving our community with advanced dental treatments and education. If you'd like to learn more about our practice and our procedures, call today! Orland Dental Care, 14360 South La Grange Road, Orland Park, IL 60462 + 872-266-2207 + orlanddentalcare.com + 9/25/2023 + Key Phrases: dentist Orland Park IL +
Our gums are visually located under our teeth on the bottom half of our mouth and above our teeth on the top half of our mouth. They are composed of soft tissue, although gums are firm to the touch. The dental term for gums is gingiva. The gingiva covers the bones that hold the teeth in the mouth. Our gums keep our teeth in place. They also provide a barrier against bacteria and the roots of our teeth.