Maintaining strong oral hygiene habits is the best way to maintain optimal gum health. It is important to brush and floss everyday. It is also important to get professional cleanings on a regular basis. During your professional cleaning, our hygienists are able to clean areas of the mouth that you can’t reach at home. They will also remove tartar, or calculus, which cannot be removed with brushing and flossing.
Preventive maintenance is a great first step, but sometimes gum disease appears even in otherwise healthy mouths. The two most common types of gum disease are gingivitis, and periodontitis. Gingivitis is the most usual form of gum disease, and also the most mild. It may cause swelling, bleeding, and pain, but can also present without any noticeable symptoms. When caught early, gingivitis can be reversed with quality dental care and strong at-home oral hygiene.
Left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, a more severe type of gum disease. With periodontitis, plaque, calculus and bacteria underneath the gums cause inflammation and may ultimately lead to infection and permanent damage. Periodontitis erodes the structures that hold teeth in place and may eventually lead to tooth loss.
Our dental team at Century Park Dental has extensive experience treating gum diseases and other soft tissue disorders. We’ll teach you the oral health habits that will help lower your risk of gum disease, and ensure that your teeth and gums are sparkling after each checkup. If you are already dealing with gum disease, we offer a number of treatments to arrest the disease process and prevent further damage.
Studies have shown that substandard oral hygiene is linked to the occurrence of gum disease, tooth decay, and other damaging oral health issues. For many people, poor oral hygiene doesn’t come from a lack of effort. Improving oral hygiene often comes down to understanding the tools you need, and the correct technique for how to use them.
If you are dealing with periodontitis or gingivitis, your treatment options will depend largely on the severity of your gum disease. Minor, early stage gum disease can often be addressed by altering and improving oral hygiene habits. In more severe cases, antibiotics or in-office procedures may be necessary to eliminate gum disease and infection. Surgery is sometimes necessary to address the damage caused by severe gum disease.
The best way to deal with gum disease is to address it before it can even get started. That means keeping a regular schedule of brushing, flossing, and rinsing, along with attending your regular dental checkup and cleaning. If your gum disease requires more significant treatment, we’re here to help. The experienced team at Century Park Dental knows periodontics, and we offer the treatment you need to return your gums to great health.
Century Park Dental is a general dentistry practice and all dental treatment is provided by a general dentist.