Managing Your Gum Disease

Your gums play a vital role in your dental health, as well as your physical health. They help shape your smile, protect against infection, and keep your pearly whites in place. Periodontal disease can cause your gums to recede and weaken, which can harm your smile. At Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, we can help you prevent or manage your gum disease with proper cleanings. There are several stages of this dental infection, and it is important to know the symptoms and receive care as soon as possible.

Stages Of Periodontal Disease

This infection progresses over time if symptoms are not addressed. The first stage is gingivitis, which often includes having swollen tissues. If this is caught in the early stages, the disease can be treated. If not, your symptoms will continue to progress. Periodontitis will become mild to moderate, and you may begin noticing recession of the tissue, deep pockets, and teeth may feel loose. In the later stages of periodontitis, you may begin to lose teeth as the bones weaken and gums recede.

This dental problem can also harm the rest of your body. Bacteria can travel from the gingival tissue into the bloodstream, causing heart problems. Patients with periodontitis are at a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and more.

How Periodontal Cleanings Help

To prevent gingivitis, a good oral hygiene routine, and biannual dentist visits are necessary. By brushing your teeth, you can remove leftover debris and particles from food and drinks. This reduces the chances of bad bacteria forming in your mouth. Flossing removes particles from between your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach.

Regular checkups and cleanings offer many benefits. First, Cleanings also help rid of plaque that your at-home oral care cannot fix. The dentist can also detect early problems and begin treatment earlier. This means that if you do begin to develop gingivitis, action can be taken to reverse the disease. If you have reached a further stage of periodontitis, deep cleanings can help manage your symptoms.

A periodontal cleaning provides a more thorough cleaning than your typical visit. Depending on the stage you are in, you may need more than one scaling and root planing service to manage your symptoms. Scaling allows the dentist or hygienist to clean below the gumline, where plaque begins to harm your smile. Then, during root planing, the roots of your teeth will be smoothed out to help reattach the gums to the teeth. This helps prevent future buildup of plaque.

Schedule A Periodontal Cleaning Today

If you are experiencing symptoms of gingivitis, we can help you. For more information about your options, schedule an appointment by calling Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230. We also welcome patients who live in Alleman, Elkhart, Bondurant, and all surrounding areas.