Is It Too Late To Improve My Gum Health?

El Paso, TX, dentist offers periodontal services

Being told you have gingivitis can make you feel worried about the future of your oral health. When left untreated, it can progress into more advanced stages that can lead to several side effects for your smile. Thankfully, your Sunny Smiles team offers periodontal services that can help you manage your symptoms. In today’s blog, we’ll discuss preventing infections, signs to look out for, and how to best manage your symptoms.

At Home Hygiene And Consistent Checkups

To reduce your chances of developing this infection, make sure that you are prioritizing your oral health. At home, remember to brush and floss at least twice a day. Brushing helps remove bacteria that has accumulated throughout the day from eating and drinking. Flossing helps get rid of bacteria and food particles from the spaces between your teeth. Flossing is an essential step of your oral hygiene routine, but it is estimated that nearly one third of all people skip this part of their routine. Along with your at home hygiene routine, remember to see your dentist biannually for a checkup. These regular cleanings and examinations provide a professional cleaning and early detection of common problems, including gingivitis. Detecting these concerns early allows you to have prompt treatment. If you have not been consistent with your oral hygiene care, it is never too late to get back on track.

Who Is At Risk Of Periodontitis?

Oral hygiene and other factors play a role in the likelihood of developing this gum infection. Patients who smoke tobacco, experience high stress, or have a genetic predisposition are at a higher risk of periodontal disease. If you are considered to be at higher risk, it’s essential that you prioritize your oral health to avoid this infection. While it can be managed with deep cleanings, preventing it is the best way to keep your smile safe. Without treatment, you can experience more advanced symptoms like tooth loss, irritated gums, bad breath, and more.

Scaling And Root Planings Can Help

If you are diagnosed with gingivitis or another stage of periodontal disease, there are ways to manage your symptoms. Gingivitis is the first stage of the infection and can be treated with proper oral hygiene and regular deep cleanings. Periodontal cleanings are more in depth than your standard cleaning done during a checkup. Scaling is done to remove plaque buildup from your gumline, and then root planing is done to help the root of your teeth reattach to the gumline. This helps prevent gum recession and tooth loss. You may need to have several of these done every year to help manage your symptoms.

Schedule An Appointment With Our Team

Keeping your gums healthy is a vital aspect of your oral health. To learn more or to schedule a periodontal service with our team, call Sunny Smiles Family Dentistry in El Paso, TX, today at 915.759.7000.