Keeping your gums healthy means avoiding serious complications, from the onset of gum disease to the loss of your natural teeth. Fortunately, your El Paso, TX, dentists can perform treatments in-house to manage your gum health and protect your smile from serious oral health issues.
What Causes Gingivitis and Gum Disease?
Gingival inflammation, also known as gingivitis, can arise when we don’t brush and floss our teeth properly. Lack of proper homecare often means plaque buildup and tartar on the surface of the teeth, which irritates and inflames the gum tissue. Other factors include family history of periodontal health problems, smoking and tobacco use, inflammatory illnesses, and the use of certain medications. The inflammation could cause the gums to feel sore, look red, or even bleed when you brush and floss. Unless treated, inflammation could eventually cause the gum tissue to pull from the teeth and expose deep pockets for bacteria to enter, leading to periodontal disease.
Scaling and Root Planing
To reverse gingivitis, or to manage periodontal disease and prevent the onset of adult tooth loss, we may suggest a scaling and root planing. Also known as a deep cleaning, this procedure involves the use of an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to remove all plaque from the surface of the teeth and the roots. The procedure takes one visit to complete or up to four, depending on the extent and severity of the buildup. Afterward, you can return every three to four moths for a regular dental cleaning, so we can control buildup and help you manage periodontal health issues. Routine treatment helps prevent uncomfortable symptoms, and also limits the risk of adult tooth loss!
Prevention at Home
You can also care for your smile at home. Each day, you should brush your teeth for two minutes when you wake up and again before bed, preferably with a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Even more important, you need to floss each night before going to bed. These actions help remove food particles and reduce the severity of plaque buildup in the process, preventing periodontal disease. You can also avoid sugary and starchy foods and drinks, which could otherwise feed harmful bacteria, and always make time to see us for regular checkup and cleaning visits. If you smoke, try to quit, as tobacco products could increase our risk. If you have any questions about maintaining optimal oral health, then please contact our team today to learn more!
TALK TO SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO ABOUT PERIODONTAL HEALTH
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, our team would like you to enjoy a healthy smile and avoid the onset of poor periodontal health. If you have questions about our approach to preventive dentistry, then you can reach our East El Paso dental practice on 10039 Dyer St., at 915-859-7000!