If you want to keep your full smile, make sure you pay attention to your periodontal health. Problems with your gums can lead to tooth loss as an infection damages supportive tissues. How common is this problem? Tooth loss in adults is caused by complications from gum disease more often than any other problems! At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we can identify problems with gum disease during your routine dental exam, and we can recommend a special cleaning in order to stop an infection from growing worse. We can also help you by providing tips to follow in order to increase your daily defense against this problem.
Gum Disease Can Become A Big Problem If It Is Not Managed
Gingivitis is the initial infection that occurs when a person’s gum tissues develop problems. If it is not managed, the condition can become more severe, making it both more harmful and harder to address properly. It is important to fight periodontal disease with an effective oral care routine, and to watch for any signs of gingivitis. These signs include swelling of tissues, reddening, or a sensitivity to bleeding when you brush or floss.
Fight Gum Disease At Home With Better Brushing And Flossing Habits
Your daily oral care routine can be an effective line of defense against both gum disease and tooth decay when you maintain good habits. While cleaning your smile, it is always important to concentrate your efforts on your gum line. Doing so removes the harmful agents that can move beneath your gums. To further make sure you are protected, consider the following:
- You should brush for at least two minutes two times a day, and floss every day
- Replace your toothbrush every three months so that the bristles remain effective at removing bacteria and food debris
- To fully clean the spaces between your teeth, you need to move your floss string vertically, not just back and forth
Your Dentist Can Provide Important Support For Your Periodontal Health
Just as our practice is prepared to provide restorative dental work in response to a cavity, we can provide a special cleaning to stop gingivitis from further affecting your gums. When performed, this deep cleaning – also known as a scaling and root planing – directly deals with those bacteria that have already moved below your gum line. After the procedure, your tissues can return to good health, and you can be free from the threat of a more severe infection.
Dental Impressions At Ankeny, IA Can Help You Fight Gum Disease
At Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, patients who are showing signs of gingivitis can count on our help in addressing this infection. To learn more about the services we provide, or to set up an appointment, please call Dental Impressions today at (515) 965-0230.
