If you brush your teeth twice and floss at least once every day, then you can dramatically boost your chances of protecting your smile from conditions like progressive gum disease. Yet, despite sticking to good hygiene, many people still develop such issues and are forced to treat them before they grow too severe. Fortunately, patients in Dallas, TX, can effectively protect their teeth and gums from disease by making routine preventive dental care an essential part of their hygiene routines. Even if gum disease develops, routine care can increase your chances of stopping it from causing extensive damage to your smile.
What Is Gum Disease?
The biggest threats to your smile stem from the oral bacteria that gather on your teeth and gums every day (in the form of sticky dental plaque). That includes gum disease, which develops as an infection in your gums and quickly progresses into one of the most destructive dental diseases among adults in the U.S. The key to preventing it is to ensure that plaque and tartar (calcified plaque) don’t remain long enough to infect your gums. That requires good hygiene at home as well as regular professional cleanings at least twice a year.
Preventing It from Getting Worse
Keeping oral bacteria’s presence under control is the best way to prevent gum disease, but sometimes, its earliest stage (gingivitis) can develop between your visits to your dentist. If your next exam reveals excessive gum recession, redness, and/or inflammation, then you may still have time to protect your gums by reversing gingivitis with personalized periodontal cleaning. Known as scaling and root planing, it involves carefully cleaning bacteria from underneath your gums to stop the infection and allow your gums time to heal.
Learn More About Preventing Gum Disease
Gum disease may be a common (and sometimes serious) threat, but with the right care and maintenance, you can effectively protect your smile from it. For more information, schedule a consultation by calling the Viva Dental Family Dentistry office nearest you at (214) 337-7800 (Dallas) or (972) 437-6000 (Richardson).
