If your gums are not healthy, you can be at risk for more oral health – and general health – problems than you may currently realize. Did you know that gum disease can make someone more likely to lose teeth later in life? If an infection is not addressed in time, bacteria on the roots of your teeth can continue to spread and do more harm. That harm includes the destruction of tissues that keep teeth secure, which leads to them becoming loose or lost. Your general health can also be harder to manage because of gum disease, which can interfere with other health conditions that you have. At our Charles City, IA dental office, we can check your gums to see if gingivitis is an active concern. If it is, we can provide a periodontal cleaning and fight the bacteria responsible.
Are You At Risk For Gingivitis Right Now?
Your daily oral hygiene routine should protect you from problems with gingivitis. The bacteria that build up at the base of your teeth should not be ignored – when you brush and floss, make sure you target your gum line for care. If you do not do this, plaque and tartar can form, and that can lead to bacteria moving beneath the gum line to cause problems for you. Are you already dealing with an infection? There are certain signs to watch out for, including:
- Problems with gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss
- Swelling or visible discoloration
- Gum line recession
- An increased frequency of halitosis (bad breath)
What Your Dentist Can Do If You Show Signs Of Poor Gum Health
If you exhibit symptoms of gingivitis at a routine dental exam, your dentist can recommend that you receive a periodontal cleaning instead of a traditional teeth cleaning. What makes this procedure different from the approach your hygienist usually takes to cleaning your smile? During a periodontal cleaning, the roots of your teeth receive attention as we clean beneath the gum line. By doing so, we remove the bacteria that are responsible for your infection.
Additional Benefits To Consistently Scheduling Dental Exams
At regular dental exams, patients are protected from several long-term concerns. Just as we can prevent complications from gum disease, we can prevent complications from dental decay by performing cavity treatment when decay has not progressed to the point of infecting a tooth. A treatment with a dental filling can restore your tooth and stop the spread of bacteria before you have to worry about more severe problems that cause tooth pain and sensitivity.
Talk To Your Charles City, IA Dentist To Schedule Your Next Checkup
Your Charles City, IA dentist is ready to provide beneficial preventive care at your next routine visit. To find out more about our practice and services, or to discuss any active oral health issues that you may have, contact Central Park Dentistry at (641) 228-1115.
