Brushing and flossing every day will keep your teeth strong and healthy as well as your gums, and the outcome will be a beautiful smile. This daily oral hygiene routine is important, because not only will neglecting this habit lead to tooth decay, it will lead to gum disease as well.
For a healthy smile, oral bacteria must be removed to avoid building up and inflaming gum tissue. Early gum disease, or gingivitis, is easily treated by stepping up brushing and flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash to kill bacteria and remove loosened food particles from brushing and flossing. Plaque is the sticky film which creates toxins that irritate healthy gum tissue, causing your gums to swell and bleed whenever you brush and floss.
Now, if gingivitis is not treated it will develop into periodontitis. Periodontitis allows the creation of pockets in the gum tissue below the gumline where food particles and plaque accumulate. At this stage of gum disease, the bones and fibers holding your teeth in place are damaged. The gum tissue in these pockets become infected and continue to be broken down and destroyed. Left unchecked, as the fibers and bone continue deteriorating, the teeth in these pockets become loose and possibly fall out.
To Keep Gums Healthy:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes.
- Floss at least once a day between teeth and the teeth and gumline.
- Rinse with a mouthwash that is designed to kill bacteria and prevent plaque.
- Get a professional dental cleaning every six months to remove hardened plaque.
With regular dental checkups and cleanings, gum disease can be detected early and treated. If you would like to schedule a visit with Dr. Charles Anonye to help restore your healthy smile, please call our Heritage Dental team in York, Pennsylvania at 717-755-2817 today!