Good gum health not only means a smile free of periodontal disease, but you could also avoid issues like tooth loss. Daily care at home, and routine preventive visits to our office, can help you enjoy strong smiles and avoid inflammation. In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist talks about keeping gums healthy.
The Impact of Poor Gum Health
The issue starts when the gums become inflamed, which leads to gingivitis. At this stage, you could notice redness or soreness in your smile, or maybe occasional bleeding. Without treatment to manage the issue, the inflammation grows more severe until the gingival tissues themselves pull away from the teeth and form pockets. Disease-causing bacteria enter these pockets, leading to periodontal disease. At this stage, the redness and soreness are worse, as is the bleeding when you brush and floss, The tissues could also recede from your teeth too. Without treatment to manage these concerns, you risk losing adult teeth to periodontitis, the advanced stage of the disease.
Good Oral Hygiene
When you practice good oral hygiene, you can lower your risk of the disease, or aid in the management of it should you already have periodontal disease. You start each day by brushing your teeth for two minutes with a soft bristled brush and a fluoride toothpaste. Be sure you thoroughly clean your smile to remove food particles. In the evening, you need to floss thoroughly, running your tape or string up and down each side of every tooth, and moving beneath the gum line too. These actions remove what is beyond the reach of your toothbrush’s bristles. Then, you need to brush for the second time. Good oral hygiene also includes cutting back on foods and drinks high in starch and sugar, and eating a healthier diet high in vitamin C and D too.
Cleanings
The actions mentioned above help limit the severity of plaque and tartar buildup, a major cause of gingivitis and periodontal disease. But to remove the buildup completely, you need to see us for a dental cleaning. These are recommended twice a year, and involve our team using an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick to remove all plaque and tartar before we polish your teeth, so you leave with a brighter appearance and a healthier smile. If you have any questions about how to improve your gum health, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO YOUR ROCHESTER, MN DENTIST ABOUT IMPROVING GUM HEALTH
We’re ready to help you enjoy good periodontal health, with a smile free of disease! If you would like to find out more about keeping your smile strong, or if you wish to book an appointment at our location, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
