Your gums should be a light coral pink, not red or white. To quickly check the condition of your…

Your gums should be a light coral pink, not red or white. To quickly check the condition of your gums tissue, glide a clean finger along your gums; if the gums are firm and painless to the touch, that’s a positive sign. A healthy mouth has a relatively neutral smell, and any particularly foul odor might be an indication of pockets of bacteria under the gums or tooth decay. Healthy teeth and gums should not bleed or be sensitive during normal cleaning. If they do, it could indicate gum disease or other serious oral health problems. Once your adult teeth have fully erupted, all your teeth should be firmly in place. If any of your teeth are loose when you chew or speak, it could be a sign of gum disease and an indication that you should consult your dentist.

Understanding the signs of healthy gums is a key step in taking care of your oral health. Your first line of defense includes regularly brushing and flossing your teeth!