Dental Hygiene and Your Gums

Good dental hygiene affects more than just your teeth. Brushing and flossing are well known methods to prevent cavities, but did you know that the same bacteria that creates plaque and tartar on your teeth will continue to spread into the soft tissue? If the bacteria is not stopped, gum disease will soon follow. When caught early on in stage one, the condition known as gingivitis can be reversed by a good dental cleaning and an improved daily brushing regime. Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery offers a number of effective treatments from the simplest cases to the most severe cases.

How do I get Gum Disease?

Gum disease is caused by bacteria that feed on the sugars in food and drinks that you ingest. As these bacteria grow, they produce various toxins and chemicals that can damage teeth. Eventually, these bacteria grow and develop pockets under the gum line. This irritates gums and causes them to pull away from the teeth. In time, gum disease can spread deep into the supporting structures of the teeth, destroying even the underlying bone, to put you at risk for tooth loss.

Fortunately, good dental hygiene combined with regular visits to the dentist can greatly reduce your chances of developing gum disease, helping you to maintain strong, healthy teeth and gums. When brushing your teeth, be sure to gently brush your gums in a circular motion. This helps to remove debris and plaque at the most important area. Flossing is also important in order to remove particles of food stuck between teeth.

How do I know if I need gum disease treatment?

In its mildest form, gum disease will produce red, swollen or sometimes bleeding gums. If you have any of these conditions and they persist for more than a week, it’s important to schedule an appointment. When more serious symptoms develop, you may not even notice the problem until the hygienist or doctor points it out to you. Gum disease is known as a silent disease, meaning many patients aren't even aware they have it until they go in for an exam or lose a tooth.

- Have you noticed that your gums have begun to recede?

- Is the soft tissue pulling away from the tooth?

Pockets are formed between the tooth and gums. Food and tartar will collect there and contribute to the breeding of bad bacteria. Without a good deep cleaning, the infection will grow and continue to spread to neighboring teeth and eventually down to the bone. At this point, your toothbrush will not win the fight alone. Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery offers several gum disease therapies to treat the affected areas and help restore oral health.

Dental Hygiene routines are not the only factors

Other risk factors include a family history of gum disease, smoking or using tobacco, stress, diabetes, and a diet low in minerals or high in sugary foods.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of gum disease, whether red and swollen gums, or gums that bleed easily during brushing and flossing, make an appointment right away. Contact Santa Monica Periodontics & Implant Surgery. Let our periodontists be your gum specialists!