Your gums are your foundation for a healthy smile, as they surround and support your teeth. If your gums are not healthy, your teeth are in jeopardy and at risk. The good news is that your trusted Narre Warren dentist can help you protect your gums, teeth, and smile!
Here are some guidelines for promoting excellent gum health and protecting yourself from gum disease.
What Is Gum Disease?
In order to guard your smile against gum disease, you first have to understand what it is. Gum disease is an infection of the soft tissues and bone that support your teeth. If it's left untreated, it will eventually destroy your teeth's foundation and result in tooth loss.
Gum disease is typically caused by a lack of good oral hygiene, which allows plaque and bacteria to build up and irritate your gums. Once it works its way below the gumline, it begins to attack your bone.
Early gum disease is called gingivitis, and its symptoms are chronic bad breath, inflamed and irritated gums, and bleeding during brushing and flossing. Advanced gum disease is known as periodontitis, and its telltale signs are tooth mobility, pain and tenderness during chewing, and visible gum recession.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Smile From Gum Disease?
Your best defence against gum disease is a consistent and excellent home care routine and routine visits with your dentist in Narre Warren for preventive teeth cleans and checks.
Consistent Home Care
Daily brushing in the morning and evening removes plaque and bacteria build-up, so it can't cause an infection. Flossing once per day eliminates the plaque build-up that occurs between your teeth. You might also consider adding an antibacterial mouth rinse to your routine to help reduce plaque.
Preventive Dental Visits
Professional teeth cleans remove the plaque build-up that you miss at home, and during an exam with your dentist, we can spot early signs of gum disease and help you successfully manage your condition before it advances.
We welcome you call if it's time for your next dental booking.