Our gums frame our smile and support our teeth, so keeping them healthy is key to a strong and beautiful smile. Our team can offer treatment to ensure good periodontal health, so you can smile with confidence and avoid issues like bleeding gums and tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about general dentistry and periodontal health.
The Causes of Poor Periodontal Health
What causes our gums to develop gingivitis and periodontal disease? This often occurs when various factors cause inflammation. When the tissues become inflamed, also known as gingivitis, this needs treatment to be reversed. Without care, the tissues pull away from the teeth and form pockets at the gum line for harmful oral bacteria to enter. When this happens, periodontal disease develops. Factors behind the initial inflammation include plaque and tartar buildup brought on by poor brushing and flossing, combined with a diet high in sugar. Other causes include tobacco use, inflammatory illnesses, a family history of gum trouble, and the use of certain medications. But we can help improve your gum health, so be sure to see us when you notice redness, soreness, or bleeding in your gums.
Cleanings
To help prevent or control periodontal disease, we recommend a routine dental cleaning. A visit every six months enables our team to remove harmful plaque and tartar from the teeth, protecting the gingival tissues. We accomplish this with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick. The process only takes a few minutes, and our team will then polish the teeth to make it more difficult for plaque and tartar to accumulate before you see us again.
Scaling and Root Planing
If you already have periodontal disease but the issue is in the early stages, then our team could offer help with a deep cleaning. Also known as a scaling and root planing, this involves removing buildup from both the teeth and the exposed surfaces of the gums. We also help destroy pockets of bacteria from beneath the gum line too. The procedure could take one visit, or as many as four, it all depends on the extent of your buildup. We also polish the teeth afterward, and may recommend a traditional dental cleaning every three to four months to control buildup and safeguard the smile.
Care at Home
You can also help protect your smile at home by cutting back on the amount of sugar in your diet, avoiding tobacco products, and taking time to brush your teeth twice a day and floss every evening.
Dental Impressions Talks About General Dentistry
Keeping your smile clean helps safeguard your gums and ensure your smile stays bright and healthy! To find out more about our approach to general dentistry, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
