Our gums are the foundation that hold our teeth. Without a healthy foundation, it is impossible to have a healthy, attractive smile for life. Therefore, it is imperative that gum disease be detected and treated early. After the initial treatment of gum disease, prevention is maintained by good home care of daily flossing and brushing, along with routine professional cleanings done every 3, 4,or 6 months.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque and tarter. Plaque develops into tarter when it has not been brushed or flossed off in a timely fashion. Plaque and tarter contains bacteria that release toxins that irritate our gums and the bone which hold our teeth. The toxins make our gums inflamed which leads them to bleed easily. The toxins also make the underlying bone erode away, which can make our teeth loose, develop infections, and be painful to chew with. Studies have also linked gum disease to the development of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, type II diabetes, certain types of cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
How We Detect Gum Disease
We detect it by taking x-rays and by evaluating the gums with a measuring instrument called a periodontal probe. At Meiss Family Dental, all new adult patients have their gums evaluated during their first visit and are evaluated once a year. Furthermore, the evaluation determines if gum disease is present and the severity. In result, determining what type of cleaning is required to restore health to their gums. The treatment types range from the typical cleaning to the more involved “deep cleaning.”
To maintain healthy gums after treatment, daily brushing and flossing, along with routine follow-up cleanings is essential. The frequency of routine cleaning is determined by how your gums responded to the initial treatment.
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