A beautiful smile begins with healthy teeth and gums. Those who neglect to take care of the basics–daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash to kill bacteria–are missing out on the necessary foundation to good oral health and sadly, are on their way to tooth decay and gum disease.
Removing oral bacteria every day prevents the buildup of plaque and the resulting inflammation of gum tissue. Gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease, is easily treated with renewed attention to brushing and flossing. Adding a daily mouthwash rinse to reduce lower bacterial plaque and remove loosened food particles from brushing and flossing is a bonus to healthy gums. You want to remove plaque because it produces toxins that irritate healthy gum tissue, causing your gums to swell and bleed.
Periodontitis is the advanced stage of gum disease. At this stage, pockets are created in the gums below the gumline where food particles and plaque become trapped. When this happens, the jawbone and fibers holding the teeth in place are damaged as gum tissue in the pockets become infected. Without treatment, the fibers and bone continue breaking down, and the teeth in these pockets can shift and loosen and possibly fall out.
You can create healthy gums by taking care of your body and your oral health as well. Brush at least twice each day, floss at least once, and add a mouthwash rinse to your daily routine. Be sure to have professional dental cleanings every six months to remove tartar above and below the gumline. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are crucial to preventing, detecting, and treating gum disease.
If you need to schedule a visit with Dr. John P. Blake to restore your healthy smile, please call our dental team in Lake Orion, Michigan at 248-693-5800 today!