You may hear us mention the importance of preventing gum disease quite often but do you really know why we feel so strongly about this subject? Perhaps you are well aware that daily brushing and flossing, as well as consistent preventive dentistry visits are extremely important – but you may not understand the reasoning behind it. As a way to both answers the questions that may pique your interest as well as a way to inform you as to why we love seeing your face every six months, we offer you the following questions and answers:
Answers To Your Questions About Gum Disease
Question: What is gum disease?
Answer: Also called periodontal disease, this problem occurs when your gums become inflamed and infected as a result of neglected, hardened plaque that has moved and remained beneath your gumline. In its earliest, reversible form, it is referred to as gingivitis. At this point, we can treat the disease and clear the problem before serious damage occurs, which is one reason we encourage consistent visits. Preventive dentistry is just that: it allows us to prevent problems before they even happen.
Question: What happens if the problem progresses beyond gingivitis?
Answer: In this case, the problem blossoms into periodontal disease. Preventive dentistry, including your usual daily hygiene and professional cleanings will not be enough to remove the plaque, tartar, and bacteria that have traveled beneath your gumline. You will need a deep cleaning – also called scaling and root planing – to remove the harmful bacteria. Depending upon the damage, you may also require additional periodontal care and restorative treatment to repair damage.
Question: How can I avoid gum disease?
Answer: First, brush twice a day, every single day, for two minutes each time. Use a soft-bristle brush and make sure you include your gumline during your brushing in addition to the surfaces of your teeth. Floss at least once daily. We also strongly encourage you to visit us twice a year for preventive cleanings and checkups. Our techniques and instruments provide you with the only way to thoroughly remove plaque – the leading cause of gum disease – from your teeth, as a means of promoting long-term oral health.
ABOUT YOUR DOWNEY DENTISTS:
Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh, DDS, provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health so they can enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at (562) 472-2433.
