Our mouth contains over 600 types of oral bacteria, and most of them are actually beneficial for our health. But a few could lead to periodontal disease and threaten smile stability. In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist explains how fighting bacteria with a preventive approach can help you avoid periodontal disease.
The Causes of Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease begins with inflammation, also known as gingivitis. Our gums could become inflamed due to plaque and tartar buildup, which is brought on by poor oral hygiene habits combined with a diet high in sugar and starch. Smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products could be a factor too, as could a family history of the disease, the use of certain medications, and the presence of inflammatory illnesses. Eventually, the inflamed tissues will pull away from the teeth and form deep pockets. When disease-causing bacteria enter these pockets, the patient develops gum disease. At this stage there is no cure, but care is needed to manage the disease and keep your smile whole.
Fighting Plaque and Bacteria at Home
You can help protect your smile from home! You should begin by cutting back on sugary and starch heavy foods and drinks, as this deprives harmful bacteria of a meal and limits plaque and tartar buildup. You also need to clean your teeth daily, removing stray food particles to keep buildup in check. You should brush for two minutes when you wake up and then again before bed, with a fluoride toothpaste. In the evening before you brush the second time, you need to thoroughly floss to remove what a toothbrush alone cannot reach. These actions can help safeguard your periodontal tissues!
Dental Cleanings and More
You also need to see our team every six months for a checkup and cleaning. During the checkup portion, we examine your smile to watch for signs of trouble, including periodontal disease. With the dental cleaning, we carefully and thoroughly remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth. Doing so helps safeguard the smile against periodontal disease by removing harmful bacterial deposits and buildup.
If you have any questions about how our team can examine and clean your smile to help you fight periodontal disease, or if you would like to schedule your next checkup and cleaning visit, then contact our team today to learn more.
TALK TO YOUR ROCHESTER, MN DENTIST ABOUT IMPROVING GUM HEALTH
We want to make sure your smile stays healthy and whole with preventive care and more. If you would like to find out more about protecting the health of your gums and teeth, or if you wish to book an appointment at our location, call Greenview Cosmetic And Family Dentistry in Rochester, MN at (507) 281-3659.
