When it comes to your oral health, you likely already take excellent care of your teeth. From a young age, we learn to brush our teeth at least twice a day. While cleaning our teeth is an essential part of our routine, it’s not the only step you should be taking to care for your smile. Your gums are equally important and require daily care to prevent bacteria buildup and periodontal disease. If you’ve noticed that your gums are swollen, red, or have other changes, the team at Sunny Smiles may be able to help diagnose the problem and improve your oral health.
Don’t Put Off Routine Checkups
One of the best ways you can take care of your smile is with a good at-home oral hygiene routine and making dental visits a priority. When you come in for your cleaning and checkup, a hygienist will first carefully clean and polish your teeth. By removing the plaque buildup from your teeth, you can avoid cavities and gingivitis from developing. After this, your dentist carefully examines your teeth and gums for changes to your oral health. Your dentist may detect early signs of periodontal disease during your examination, enabling prompt treatment.
Make a Plan for Periodontal Treatment
Symptoms such as swollen tissue or halitosis (bad breath) may accompany gingivitis, the earliest stage of periodontal disease. If your dentist has diagnosed you with gingivitis, it’s crucial to adhere to a maintenance plan to alleviate your symptoms and safeguard your oral health. The maintenance plan will include an improved oral hygiene routine at home as well as scaling and root planing treatments. Scaling involves removing bacteria and plaque buildup that causes gingivitis and smoothing the roots of your teeth to prevent the tissue from receding. For patients who have mild to moderate periodontal disease, you may need these treatments performed a few times a year.
Improve Your Appearance With Gum Contouring
If you have a “gummy” smile, the excess amount of tissue can make your teeth appear smaller or uneven. It can also make it more challenging to properly floss and remove bacteria. In some cases, your dentist may be able to reshape this tissue to remove the excess tissue and improve the balance of your smile. If you have periodontal disease, gum contouring may help reduce bacteria and lower the chances of tissue recession. Contouring involves gently removing the excess tissue and reshaping it to improve the appearance of your teeth. The process is minimally invasive and can often be completed in just one appointment after you have consulted with your dentist.
Plan Your Next Visit With Our Team
Do you need help improving your periodontal health? Schedule an appointment with the team at Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, today at 915.759.7000 to learn more about treatment options.