Periodontal Care It turns out that one of the most important things you can be doing for your smile has nothing at all to do with your teeth - it has to do with your gums. Gum disease is an incredibly common affliction among Americans, and can severely impact the long-term health of your entire mouth. The Center for Esthetic Dentistry helps all of our patients with proper periodontal maintenance and care so that your gums are as healthy as your teeth. What Is Gum Disease?Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is when poor dental hygiene allows bacteria to flourish in the mouth. By failing to brush, floss, and come in for regular cleanings, bacteria can accumulate in places that you forgot to brush or that are difficult to reach. The bacteria burrow holes between the gums and teeth roots, which can eventually make your teeth loose and even lead to them falling out. How Can You Recognize Gum Disease?While the best way to keep an eye out for gum disease is to get a dental professional’s opinion by coming into our office for routine exams and cleanings. There are some signs that you can stay alert to in case gum disease develops in between appointments. When you brush with the appropriate amount of pressure, this should not irritate or inflame your gums. If you spot blood in the sink afterwards, this could be a sign of diseased gums. Receding gums, bad breath that does not go away even after brushing, and loose teeth can also be potential signs of gum disease. How Do We Treat Gum Disease?How we treat gum disease depends on the severity of the disease’s spread. When the disease is still in the early stages we will use special cleaning techniques known as scaling and root planing. More advanced cases of gum disease will require more complex treatments, such as flap surgery. If gum disease has progressed to the point that significant bone loss has occurred, then grafting or extractions may be necessary. How Can You Prevent Gum Disease in the First Place?There are two critical things you can start doing today to prevent gum disease from ever forming. Luckily, they are already things you should be doing, so incorporating it into your oral health regimen should be pretty easy. The first thing you can do is brush and floss every day, brushing for two minutes twice a day. The second thing that you can do is schedule a professional cleaning at our office once every six months. That way we can help remove that hard-to-reach plaque that regular brushing cannot get and monitor your mouth for any sudden irregularities that might suggest the development of an oral health condition. Support a Healthier Smile Today!With professional periodontal maintenance and care, you can prevent gum disease from ever occurring in the first place. If you think you may have spotted signs of gum disease in your mouth, or want to learn more about how to prevent gum disease from developing, you can chat with one of The Center for Esthetic Dentistry’s dental professionals by calling 541-476-8788 today. |
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