Many people mostly think about their teeth when they consider their dental health, but your gums are equally significant. After all, without strong connective tissue, nothing would hold your smile together. This is why periodontitis, or advanced-stage gum disease, is a leading cause of permanent tooth loss in adults.
But if you have noticed your gums feel softer or spongier than usual, you may have a different tissue issue. Continue reading to learn more about what can cause this and how to help protect your smile!
What Do Healthy Gums Look and Feel Like?
It’s easy to assume your gums are in good shape if you haven’t noticed bleeding, sores, or other obvious concerns. But if you don’t know what healthy connective tissue looks and feels like, you might miss early signs of a developing problem, increasing the likelihood that it’ll progress to more advanced stages.
For example, healthy gums should feel firm to the touch and usually have a consistent pink color without swelling, though some individuals may naturally have darker connective tissue. Paying attention to your dental condition helps you spot changes early so you can get help from your dentist.
What Causes Spongy Gums?
Soft or spongy gums can have a couple of underlying causes. For instance, if you’re developing gingivitis, the earliest stage of periodontal disease, you might notice your tissues are tender or more sensitive than usual. But as your condition progresses, you may be more likely to see recession than spongy tissue development.
Unfortunately, other medical conditions can also result in spongy gums. For example, scurvy, which typically occurs after long-term vitamin C deficiency, can cause this symptom, too. This ingredient supports collagen production that strengthens your gums, but because the human body doesn’t produce or store it, you must consume it regularly through your diet.
How Can I Help Maintain Healthy Gums?
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C varies by gender, age, and other factors, such as smoking. But generally, most adults require between 75 mg and 120 mg daily.
If you’re vitamin C deficient, one way to address your dental condition is to improve your levels. For example, you can add more citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts to your daily meals.
You can also help avoid periodontal problems by reducing your sugar consumption, brushing and flossing twice daily, and visiting your dentist every 6 months for a routine checkup and cleaning.
About the Practice
Patients at Belmont Family Dentistry benefit from three dentists who work diligently to help them build and maintain beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Tinkle, Dr. Yoon, and Dr. Callan collaborate to offer a complete menu of services, including gum disease treatment, using advanced technology for more comfortable, accurate results meant to last. If you’re concerned about soft or spongy tissues, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (503) 234-1218.