Your oral health is not always about how straight or white your teeth are. Infact, your gums play a significant role in keeping your mouth healthy and disease-free.
Many gum-related issues are for the most part, painless, which is why people won’t notice that something is wrong with their gums until the disease has developed and spread.
Gum disease, commonly known as periodontal disease, is caused when bacteria from plaque buildup along the gum line begins to grow between the gums and teeth. Once the bacteria has built up, the surrounding gums will become inflamed and tender to the touch.
Many people tend to forget or skip cleaning the gums and gum line during their oral hygiene routine, and instead focus on getting their teeth as white as possible.
However, if they neglect cleaning their gums, the plaque buildup will eventually turn into tartar, which has a yellow tint to it. Not only will the teeth look unhealthy and unclean, but can result in cavities and tooth decay.
Luckily, the initial stages of gum disease don’t impact the bone and tissue holding the teeth in place, meaning there’s time to reverse the damage.
Get Regular Dental Cleanings
Once tartar has begun to build up on the teeth, regular brushing and cleaning will not be able to remove the sticky film.
Professional dental cleaning is the only way to ensure the plaque and tartar is completely removed. Although plaque will always return, maintaining a proper oral hygiene routine will prevent tartar from coming back as well.
Dental cleaning is recommended twice a year, or every six months. With regular visits, a dentist will be able to identify and treat early signs of gum disease, preventing more severe issues from occurring.
Flossing Daily
Neglecting to floss everyday has become a habit for many, as they believe simply brushing their teeth will do the job.
Careful not to damage the gum tissue in between your teeth, bring the floss around the tooth and over the gum tissue to reach the gum line and floss both sides of the tooth.
Be sure that the floss is clean before moving on to another tooth, as you don’t want any bacteria from transmitting over. Any remaining food will be removed, decreasing the amount of plaque buildup between the teeth.
Have a Proper Brushing Technique
It’s widely believed that hard-bristled brushes do a better job of cleaning your teeth, although it’s been proven that they are harsh and damage your gums.
The best way to get all the gunk out of your gum line is by brushing with a soft-bristled brush at a 45-degree angle. It’s recommended that you brush for two minutes with short, gentle strokes to ensure everything has been cleaned effectively.
Quit the Smoking Habit
Smoking is one of the worst habits you can have, as it not only affects your overall health, but causes serious damage to your teeth and gums.
One of the biggest causes of gum disease is smoking, since the chemicals and tobacco found in cigarettes negatively affect your immune system, making it harder to fight gum infections. In addition to that, it makes healing after the gums have been damaged much more challenging.
Use Therapeutic Mouthwash
Although regular mouthwash helps cleanse your mouth and remove any lingering bacteria, therapeutic mouthwash is much more effective in preventing gum disease.
Some of the benefits of using a therapeutic mouthwash include reducing the amount of plaque on the teeth, reducing the speed of tartar buildup, and removing remaining food particles.
It’s important to remember that mouthwash does not replace brushing and flossing in any way.
Gum Therapy Treatment at Yazdani Family Dentistry
Gum disease has become one of the leading dental problems in the world, with every 7 out of 10 people suffering from the disease.
Failing to maintain an effective oral hygiene routine that includes daily flossing, brushing, and mouth rinsing puts you at risk of developing gum disease or gingivitis. Severe problems such as receding gums, tooth loss, and tooth decay are real possibilities if the disease is left untreated.
Fortunately, dental professionals are able to catch early signs of gum disease during bi-yearly visits and can begin treatments to reverse the damage.
Our dental experts at Yazdani Family Dentistry are here to help get your gums back to being healthy once again. With the help of our non-surgical gum-therapy treatment, you can get back to having healthy and pain-free gums in no time.
Get in touch with us to learn more about gum therapy treatments and prevention practices and book your next appointment today.
