Ensuring good gum health is essential for maintaining a strong and durable smile, and avoiding complications like tooth loss. But how do we keep our gums healthy? In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about how to prevent periodontal disease or manage it to keep smiles whole.
The Causes of Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease
What leads to poor gum health? When factors like poor brushing and flossing, combined with a diet high in sugar, occur, this could lead to plaque buildup. Plaque coats the teeth and inflames the gums, leading to inflammation. Also known as gingivitis, this stage could lead to sore and red gums. Without treatment to reverse the inflammation, the gums could pull away from the teeth to form pockets at the gum line. Once harmful oral bacteria enter these pockets, this leads to periodontal disease. At this stage, the issue cannot be cured, but treatment to manage it could prevent the periodontitis stage, which is linked to adult tooth loss. When you notice gums that are sore, red, or that bleed easily, come see us right away.
Preventive Actions
You can take preventive steps to hopefully avoid the onset of the disease. If you already have periodontal disease, then these steps could also help manage the issue. You should brush your teeth for two minutes when you wake up and then do so again before bed, using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. You also need to floss every evening. These actions help remove stray food and drink particles from your smile, so they can’t be broken down by bacteria to cause plaque buildup and gum inflammation. Try to avoid tobacco products too, and also cut back on the amount of sugar and starch in your diet as well.
General Treatment Options
Our team can conduct a deep cleaning, or scaling and root planing, to bring the disease into a manageable state. The procedure involves removing buildup from the teeth and roots. We also have traditional cleanings, in which we control buildup to keep your smile strong. We typically recommend a traditional cleaning every six months, but if you have risk factors for periodontal disease, we may suggest one every three to four months. If you have any questions about how our team will protect your periodontal health and keep your smile intact, then contact our office today to learn more. Don’t ignore changes in your gums, come see our team right away!
Dental Impressions Talks About General and Preventive Dentistry
With general dentistry, our team can offer care to maintain good gum health. To find out more about preventive dentistry and schedule your next appointment, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
