When you see your dentist for a regular dental checkup, you will certainly expect to have your enamel checked for signs of dental decay. Regular reviews for dental decay are important, as they can lead to the early detection and treatment of problems before they start to cause pain. However, this is not the only reason to schedule a checkup! When you go in for a routine review, your Irving, TX dentist will closely check you for any problems that could affect your teeth and oral structures. As part of that review, your gums will be closely inspected for signs of gingivitis. When an infection is identified, we can make plans to address it before it grows more serious. This is important for stopping complications from poor periodontal health, which can lead to problems like tooth loss!
How Vulnerable Are You To Gingivitis?
Gingivitis affects individuals when bacteria make their way below their gum line and infect their periodontal tissues. When this happens, there are several problems that can arise, including problems with periodontal bleeding, swelling, bad breath, and a change in your gum line. You control your risk for this problem every time you brush and floss. People who take care to clean at the base of their teeth will prevent plaque and tartar buildup at their gum line, which stops potential infections from occurring. If your routine is not as thorough as it should be, you are more likely to let an infection occur.
Regular Dental Checkups Include Reviews Of Your Gums
At a regular dental exam, your dentist will check your teeth, gums, and oral structures to see if there are any problems that should be addressed. If you show any signs of poor periodontal health, we can recommend a scaling and root planing to help you recover. This procedure removes bacteria from beneath the roots of your teeth to stop an infection and give your tissues a chance to recover. Just as tooth decay can worsen over time if it is not addressed, a problem with poor periodontal health will worsen if it is not addressed properly.
Protecting Your Periodontal Health At Home
So what can you do to make sure that you avoid problems with gum disease? One thing to do is make sure that you floss each day. People who overlook the importance of this practice can let tartar and plaque build up between teeth and at their gum line, which can lead to trouble. Remember that when you floss, it is important to move the floss string vertically in order to clean the portions of your enamel that meet your gum tissues.
Schedule Your Next Dental Exam At Our Irving, TX Dentist’s Office
Patients who come to Defining Smiles for preventive care can receive more than just protection against cavities. In addition to helping you avoid problems with dental decay, we can offer important support against gum disease to help you keep a truly healthy smile! To learn more, call our dentist’s office in Irving, TX today at 972-717-0860.