Gingivitis develops when our gum tissue becomes inflamed. Since our gums frame and support our smile, the presence of inflammation only increases the risk of periodontal disease and severe complications. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists talk about how we improve periodontal health with routine care, deep cleanings, and more!
The Causes of Gingivitis
Gingivitis develops when the gum tissues become irritated and inflamed. Causes may vary, but could include the use of certain medications, cigarettes or tobacco use, and inflammatory illnesses. You could also be at risk if your family has a history of periodontal problems. However, the most common cause is poor oral hygiene. When we don’t brush and floss properly, and don’t undergo routine cleanings very six months with the dentist, then plaque buildup and tartar accumulate, inflaming gum tissue and increasing the risk of gum disease.
When to Seek Treatment
You should seek treatment when you notice your gums appear red, feel sore, or bleed easily. In the early stages of gingivitis, we can reverse the problem completely. But if the problem progresses, then the gums could begin to pull away from the teeth and form deep pockets. When bacteria infiltrate these pockets, you could develop periodontal disease. There is no cure for periodontal disease, and routine care will be necessary to prevent the advanced stages linked to adult tooth loss.
Prevention and More
To help reverse the issue or manage periodontal disease, we may suggest a deep cleaning known as a scaling and root planing. The procedure involves removing all plaque and tartar from the teeth and the roots with an ultrasonic scaling device. We then polish them. The procedure could take between one and four visits, depending on the extent of your buildup. Afterward, routine cleanings every three to four months will be needed to prevent serious buildup and protect the smile. We could also perform contouring to target and remove diseased tissues from your smile, allowing healthy gingival tissue to adhere to the teeth and help close exposed periodontal pockets. At home, you should brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Even more vital, you need to floss in between each of your teeth, moving up and down each side of every tooth and making contact with the gum tissue. This removes the bits of food that feed harmful bacteria and leads to the onset of periodontal problems. If you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a diagnosis and see if you need treatment, then please contact our team today.
SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO IMPROVES PERIODONTAL HEALTH
At Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, can help you obtain better gum health with routine care in office, and of course better homecare too. For more information on our periodontal treatment options, then contact our N. Zaragoza dental practice by calling 915-849-9000.