Complications impacting the health of your gums.
Gingivitis and periodontitis are the most common diseases that affect your gum health. Both are caused by plaque buildup and lead to inflamed lesions in the mouth. Gingivitis appears first and is less serious but can lead to periodontitis.
The primary cause of periodontal disease is when the bacteria in dental plaque starts to irritate your gums. Some people are more susceptible to gum disease due to their genetic makeup, but anyone can suffer from it. The most common reason for plaque is poor oral hygiene, allowing for calculus to occur above or below the gum line.
Did you know 80% of Americans will be affected by periodontal disease by age 45, and 4 out of 5 patients with the disease are unaware they have it? This is because the early stages of gum disease can be painless and show no symptoms, which is another supporting reason for a thorough daily brushing and flossing routine.
Take the first step to keeping your gums and teeth healthy.
Here is some advice from Dr. Nguyen on how to keep your smile in good shape.
Flossing is an effective way to protect your gums against periodontal disease. Floss can reach areas between your teeth that brushing alone cannot.
Upper Teeth
Choose your floss and then wrap each end around your middle fingers. When cleaning the upper teeth, use your forefinger and thumb to grip the floss. Then utilize a gentle back and forth motion between each tooth. Be sure to hold it tightly against the side of your tooth and move it up and down – as if to clean the tooth. Floss both sides of each tooth including those right at the back!
Lower Teeth
Insert the floss between the teeth using your forefingers on both hands to move the floss back-and-forth. Practice the same cleaning technique as the upper teeth and remember to be gentle.
You may experience some bleeding when you first begin flossing regularly but this should stop after the plaque has been removed. Once you are finished, simply rinse your mouth to remove any debris.
If your teeth become sensitive to cold and hot food or drinks, you may need to treat them with a little more care. Tooth sensitivity is normally caused by poor hygiene and can be helped with medicated toothpaste or mouth rinse.
Dr. Nguyen will check for any other causes of tooth sensitivity during your regular checkup.
Removing damaging bacteria from your teeth.
After your comprehensive exam, Dr. Nguyen may recommend scaling and root planing. These non-surgical procedures are used to remove harmful agents such as plaque and tartar from your teeth.
Scaling:
Scaling removes plaque and tartar that has formed on the tooth surface and the gum line, especially around the tooth root. The process involves an ultrasonic scaling tool and includes an antimicrobial spray to reduce oral bacteria.
Root Planing:
Root planing involves removing unwanted microorganisms and toxins that are affecting the inside of your tooth or the root. The bacteria is removed by smoothing out your tooth’s root to promote healing. This also prevents future bacterial buildup.
There are many benefits to scaling and root planing. This procedure helps reduce the buildup of bacteria, which can affect the health of your heart and respiratory systems. It also protects you from tooth loss and the common effects of periodontal disease e.g. bad breath, stains, and pain.
HAVE A QUESTION?
