When you have gum disease, or when your risks for it are heightened, dealing with it can be the biggest concern facing your smile. Sometimes, it can also seem exceedingly complicated, especially if you’ve never had to deal with gum disease before. At our Bellaire, TX, dental office, part of the preventive dental care we provide includes helping you prevent gum disease, or treat and manage it if it does develop. With our help, dealing with gum disease can be simpler, more convenient, and more effective than you might expect.
Preventing gum disease from forming
The best way to deal with gum disease is to prevent it, and if it isn’t too late, then that may be easier than you imagine. Gum disease is the product of oral bacteria accumulating on your gum line and working their underneath it. From their place on the surface of your teeth roots, they can release harmful toxins and molecules that infect and inflame your gum tissues. Preventing this infection requires preventing oral bacteria from forming plaque and tartar underneath your gum line. That means brushing your teeth twice and flossing at least once every day, paying close attention to clean along your gum line, and attending professional checkups and cleanings at least once every six months.
Gaining the advantage when it first develops
If oral bacteria do get the chance to infect your gums, then you may have a chance to reverse the beginning stage of gum disease (gingivitis) and prevent it from becoming a permanent concern. Periodontal cleaning, or scaling and root planing, is a deep cleaning process that involves carefully accessing your teeth roots to clean (scale) and smooth (plane) their surfaces. If this doesn’t reverse your gingivitis, it will be the first step in minimizing and controlling it with a routine periodontal maintenance plan.
Managing gum disease so it doesn’t get worse
Depending on the extent of your gum disease, successfully managing it can mean different things. For example, if you’ve treated it in time to minimize any damage to your gums, then a routine schedule of dental and deep cleaning may help stop it from getting worse. If your gums have already suffered damage, then you may require gum contouring to trim away the diseased tissues. In extreme cases, you may lose one or more teeth to the disease, in which case managing it and restoring your smile may also include placing one or more dental implant to replace them.
Learn how to successfully deal with gum disease
With professional help and routine care and maintenance, preventing or dealing with gum disease can be much less complicated than you might expect. For more information, or to schedule a consultation with us, call Contemporary Dental & Orthodontics in Bellaire, TX, today at (713) 668-9119.