Without routine care at home, your smile could not only become vulnerable to common issues like tooth decay, but also to gingivitis and gum disease. Since your gums frame your smile and keep your teeth securely in place, their health is crucial for your smile’s function and beauty. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist talks about what you can do to avoid gum disease from home.
The Factors Behind Gum Disease
Periodontal disease occurs when the gum tissues become inflamed. The inflammation is known as gingivitis, and could develop as a result of poor oral hygiene allowing plaque to coat the teeth and irritate the gum tissues, or as a result of tobacco use, certain medications, family history of poor periodontal health, or inflammatory illnesses. Over time, the inflammation allows the tissue to pull away from the teeth and form deep pockets for bacteria to infiltrate, causing the disease. Warning signs of trouble often include soreness, redness, or bleeding when you brush and floss.
How to Fight Inflammation
Gingivitis can be reversed, but periodontal disease cannot. In fact, unless managed with routine care, periodontal disease could actually lead to adult tooth loss! To help prevent inflammation, we suggest avoiding sugary and starchy foods and drinks, as these leave behind particles for bacteria to break down and create plaque buildup with. In addition, be sure you brush your teeth in the morning and evening for two minutes, and also floss every night before bed as well. These action help prevent serious buildup and inflammation.
When to See Our Team
At the moment, we cannot offer preventive care, but when restrictions lift, we would love to see you for treatment. If you still suffer from sore or bleeding gums, let us know so that when possible, we can perform a deep cleaning, also known as a scaling and root planing, to remove plaque and tartar. With routine cleaning afterward, our team will continue to control the buildup, reversing gingivitis or managing periodontal disease to keep smiles whole and healthy. Our team also provides emergency dental care, repairing damaged teeth or addressing serious decay or infection to prevent worsening discomfort or complications. If you have any questions or concerns about safeguarding smiles while at home, or about our approach to emergency dentistry, then please contact our team today.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PERIODONTAL HEALTH?
Caring for the health of your gums helps keep your smile stable and strong. To learn more about keeping gums inflammation-free, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
