Your gums frame your smile and support your teeth, and keeping them healthy is key to keeping your smile whole. But how do you maintain your periodontal health? In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about steps at home and in our office to improve your gum health.
The Risks to Your Gum Health
What dangers will periodontal disease pose for your gums? When you develop gum disease, this could cause sore, red gums that bleed easily. You could encounter swelling too. There could eventually be recession as well, in which the tissues pull away from the teeth and make them appear long. At this stage, the disease is in a more advanced state, and lack of care could lead to tooth decay and infection in the exposed roots, and the risk of periodontitis. The advanced stage of the disease, this severs the connective tissues between the teeth and gums to cause tooth loss. Don’t risk missing teeth and uncomfortable symptoms, talk to our team about possible solutions.
Deep Cleanings
Often, we can help manage the issue and safeguard your smile with a deep cleaning. Also known as a scaling and root planing, the procedure involves our team using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth and the exposed roots, and from beneath the gum line too. Since this is a more extensive procedure than a traditional cleaning, we will numb your smile to keep you comfortable. The procedure could take one visit or up to four, depending on the extent of your buildup. Afterward, we will polish the teeth to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to cling to them before your next visit.
Boost Oral Hygiene
To help control periodontal disease, our team will recommend a traditional dental cleaning every three to four months to keep buildup from irritating the gingival tissues. At home, we recommend taking time to brush and floss daily, cutting back on the sugar and starch in your diet, and avoiding tobacco products. These actions help manage your gum health and also protect your teeth too.
If you have any questions about how our team will manage periodontal disease with a scaling and root planing, or if you would like to schedule your first visit of 2025, then contact our team today to learn more and get started!
Schedule Your Periodontal Visit With Dental Impressions
We want to help you enjoy a whole and healthy smile, and that includes caring for your gums to manage or prevent periodontal disease. To find out more about how we improve your gum health, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
