Why are healthy gums so important?
Your gums are basically the foundation of your mouth. They wrap around your teeth and help keep your teeth stable.
How can I tell if my gums are healthy or unhealthy?
If you see a lot of bleeding when you're brushing or even in general, flossing, or if the gums are tender when you brush, those are signs that something might not be quite right. Healthy gums should have no bleeding at all anytime you brush or floss and no discomfort when you're brushing around your gums.
What causes unhealthy gums?
Unhealthy gums are caused by having more bad bacteria than good bacteria in your mouth, and that bad bacteria is allowed to grow and multiply.
Can unhealthy gums be fixed?
Yes, we can definitely help you fix unhealthy gums with treatment.
What is involved in the process of deep cleaning of your gums and teeth?
A deep cleaning is done by getting the gums numb and cleaning underneath the gum, removing all that bad bacteria we talked about. It's all cleaned out with the cleaning instruments that the hygienists use, including regular cleaning instruments as well as an instrument that uses water and vibration. They also use an irrigation solution to flush out all that bacteria underneath the gum pocket.
Why does it take more than one sitting for a dental deep cleaning?
When we work on a patient who needs a deep cleaning, we do one side at a time because of the amount of bacteria buildup. We want to have enough time to thoroughly remove everything. Additionally, sometimes there's a little bit of soreness afterward, and we want the patient to have a side they can chew on so they can still eat and function as normally as possible.
Is a deep cleaning painful?
There is normal soreness afterward that can be very easily controlled with regular over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or Tylenol, and warm salt water rinses.
What are the best ways to take care of my gums at home after a deep cleaning?
One of the best ways to take care of your gums at home after deep cleaning is to clean them thoroughly. Flossing or using a water flosser is really helpful because they can flush out all the bacteria that would be deeper in the pocket and be very effective in removing it all.
At what point is gum grafting necessary?
That's really based on a case-by-case basis. If the patient has issues with sensitivity or is losing a lot of gum around a tooth, gum grafting may be the next step.
How can I schedule a dental appointment?
You can call our office and schedule as a patient so we can help educate you and help you understand your questions and needs for your teeth and gums.
I hope I've been able to answer the questions that you all had about healthy gums and how to keep them healthy. If you have any more questions, please feel free to call our office at (301) 812-4599.
Oral care is not just limited to brushing and flossing your teeth; it is also about caring for your gums. Following your lifestyle and dietary habits, your gums may often get exposed to bacteria, plaque, germs, and other elements. When you overlook your gum health, you may develop gum disease.
Gum disease has many stages. If ignored, it may further advance and affect your overall health. We advise you to schedule an appointment with us right after you feel pain, swelling, bleeding, or any other abnormality in your gums.
Why is Gum Health Important?
Your gum health is essential because gum disease significantly disrupts your overall health. Also known as periodontal disease, it may lead to mild redness and swelling in your gums. When developed to an advanced stage, it may also cause loss of teeth and the spread of bacteria to the rest of your body.
According to a recent study, people suffering from gum diseases are at a higher risk of developing other conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, dementia, and complications in pregnancy. It is, therefore, essential to take gum disease seriously.
What are the Symptoms of Gum Disease?
In many cases, gum disease is painless, even though it may damage the bone supporting your teeth. When you develop gingivitis, your gums will appear red and swollen. You may experience bleeding while brushing or flossing your teeth. Other symptoms that suggest you may have gum disease include difficulty chewing your food, bad breath, pain in your gums, etc.
How to Prevent Gum Disease?
Gum disease develops because of the deposits of plaque, tartar, and food residues in your mouth. All these activities make your gums inflamed and swollen. It is best to visit us for dental cleaning once every six months.
During your dental cleaning, we will remove the build-up of these substances from the surface of your teeth and also from above and below your gum line. We may also perform scaling and root planing. These non-surgical procedures are done after administering local anesthesia. Both these treatments remove the hardened plaque from above and below your gum line. After removing these substances, we smoothen your teeth with the help of dental instruments.
Prevention of gum diseases also includes following a healthy lifestyle and routine oral care. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly, especially after eating your meal. Quit consumption of alcohol and smoking.
To find out more about the dental services we offer at Montpelier Family Dentistry, Laurel, MD, call (301) 812-4599 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit Dentist 14502 Greenview Dr #100, Laurel, MD, 20708.