Periodontal disease, caused by the bacterial infection of your gums, is the leading cause of tooth loss among American adults. When your gums are healthy, they secure your teeth’s place in your jaw and provide a protective seal for deeper tissues. When disease appears, infection and inflammation destroy these tissues and threaten the health of your entire mouth. This means you should take proper care to preserve the health of your gums with a strong oral hygiene routine that prioritizes prevention. By practicing the same behaviors that prevent tooth decay, you can help prevent the bacterial infection that leads to tooth loss.
Your Ankeny, IA dentist plays a key role in maintaining your oral health. When you attend regular dental checkups, we clean your teeth and examine them for signs of tooth decay and gum disease. Combining our professional expertise with your daily hygiene habits helps you maintain the smile you desire. If we do detect an infection of your gums, we offer specialized treatment through periodontal deep cleanings to prevent disease from advancing and causing tooth loss. Caught in its earliest stage, gum disease is even reversible, so let us know right away if you suspect its presence in your mouth!
Maintaining Healthy Gums
Remember that the best way to fight gum disease is to prevent it from taking hold in the first place! In addition to visiting our office regularly for routine dental checkups, practicing the following healthy habits can reduce your risk for disease:
- Brush your teeth twice daily
- Floss between your teeth to the gumline once per day
- Avoid tobacco products
- Eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables
- Inspect your gums for inflammation or bleeding
Deep Cleanings Keep Disease At Bay
For patients who show signs of gum disease, we can perform a periodontal deep cleaning to remove bacterial deposits not accessed during a standard dental checkup. This procedure goes below your gumline to clean pockets of plaque that form between teeth and contribute to your disease state. While advanced stages of the disease cannot be reversed, this treatment can keep it from progressing and maintain your teeth and bone health. The long-term success of your treatment corresponds to how well you maintain your oral health at home, so be sure to practice rigorous oral hygiene between cleanings.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dental Team About Caring For Your Gums!
Your gums are vital to protecting the health of your teeth and jaw, but bacterial infection risks tissue recession and deterioration of your bone. This can eventually lead to losing teeth when not addressed, but regular examination allows us to detect and treat any infection. To schedule a visit, call our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office at 515-207-6182. Additionally, we serve patients who live in Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding communities as well.
