This is the strangest library you’ve ever seen. They have a wonderful collection of books, pictures, and movies, but they are completely absent of shelves. Piles of literature surround you, and you find yourself wading knee-deep into the fiction section. You only hope that you aren’t accidentally stepping on classics.
Whenever you forget to take care of your gums while cleaning your teeth, you can end up in a situation like this. Without healthy gums, like shelves, teeth lack the support they need to stay in place, and disaster can follow. Here’s how you can treat and prevent gum disease in Mt. Holly.
A Bit About Gum Disease
Much of our focus when it comes to dental care concerns our teeth. You probably think of your home routine as “brushing and flossing your teeth.” Actually, you should be cleaning along the gum line as well. The gums serve an important role in your mouth. They support the teeth and jaw by supplying them with precious bloody flow. They are also susceptible to the buildup of plaque and bacteria just like your teeth are if left alone for a long time. Rather than causing a cavity, it can cause gum disease. This can lead to the breakdown of the gums, which can easily lead to tooth loss. Some common signs of gum disease are:
- Swollen or red gums
- Sensitive gums
- Gums that bleed easily
- Pockets or bumps along the gum line
- Receding gums
What may seem like a simple case of sore gums could be the beginning stages of gum disease. Ideally, once symptoms present, you know how to take action.
How to Prevent and Treat Gum Disease
The best way to treat gum disease is with routine brushing and flossing, paying special attention to clean along the gum line. An extra few strokes of the brush could do wonders for your oral health. This breaks up the plaque and bacteria that form along your gums. Regular check-ups can also help catch gum disease early, when it is easiest to treat. It often does not present obvious symptoms in the early stages, so regular check-ups can save you time and discomfort. If you are already experiencing gum disease, there are a few ways to treat it. The milder form of gum disease is called gingivitis. This can usually be treated by simply brushing more mindfully, and maybe getting a professional cleaning from your dentist at Mt. Holly Family Dentistry. If you have the more severe form of gum disease, or periodontitis, you may need to undergo a pair of procedures called scaling and root planing. Scaling involves a deep cleaning of your teeth along the gum line to clear away the hardened plaque. Root planing is then used to shape the roots so plaque and bacteria are less likely to build up there in the future.
We’re Here to Help
Your gums are just as important as your teeth when it comes to your oral health, so be sure you take care of them whenever you brush and floss. If you have any questions about how to take care of your gums, or need treatment for your gum disease, please give us a call today.