The gums: guardians of teeth  Teeth are vulnerable to cavities.
That message gets repeated everywhere. But even intact pearly
whites can be endangered if they don't have healthy gums to keep
them tightly anchored.  Gum tissue, red and firm, surrounds
teeth and safeguards the vulnerable roots. If your gums are in
trouble, your teeth are in trouble.  "If you want to keep your
teeth, you must take care of your gums," an article in the FDA
Consumer Magazine stated.  Mouth bacteria must be removed from
the teeth by regular brushing, flossing and trips to the dentist
to catch anything you missed. If they are allowed to remain,
they build up in a sticky layer called plaque. This plaque can
harden into a substance called tartar, which can be removed only
by professional cleaning.  When bacteria get sufficiently
anchored on the teeth, they go after the gums. The plaque and
tartar extend below the gum line, burrowing into the gums.
Swollen gums, which may bleed during brushing, are a sign of
irritated gums, or gingivi