Along with taking steps to protect your teeth from issues like tooth decay and infection, you should also be aware of your gums. Taking steps to ensure better periodontal health helps your smile stay free of harmful inflammation and disease. In today’s blog, your Newhall, CA, dentist is looking at what you can do to safeguard your oral health from home.
The Causes of Poor Gum Health
A number of factors could lead to poor gum health, such as a family history of periodontal issues, smoking or the use of tobacco products, certain medications, or inflammatory illnesses. However, the most common cause is usually plaque buildup due to poor oral hygiene habits. Plaque forms when bacteria consume stray food particles and leave behind a sticky layer coating the teeth. Plaque not only leads to stained teeth and bad breath, but also weakens tooth enamel and inflames gum tissues, boosting the risks of tooth decay, as well as gingivitis and gum disease.
Avoiding Periodontal Disease
To avoid inflammation, and subsequently gingivitis and gum disease, you need to make sure you’re brushing and flossing daily, which removes stray food particles to help prevent irritation and inflammation. You should floss every night before bed and brush when you wake up and again before bed for two minutes each session. Doing this limits the severity of plaque buildup until we can see you again for a cleaning. Cutting back on sugary foods and drinks is helpful too, since this deprives harmful bacteria of an easy meal. Don’t use tobacco products, and let us know if you experience any warning signs of trouble, such as sore, red gums that bleed easily when you brush and floss.
When to See Our Team
At the moment, we’re only offering emergency treatment for members of our community. Which means we can see you if you sustain any injury or experience discomfort in your teeth and gums. Serious pain, as well as obvious damage like chips or cracks, are examples of emergency situations. Loose or lost restorations, as well as loose or knocked-out teeth are all reasons to schedule an appointment. If you have any questions about avoiding periodontal disease while you’re staying home, or about our approach to emergency dental care, then please contact or team today. We want to help you enjoy a healthy and strong smile until, our team can see you again for regular treatments.
Do You Have Questions About Periodontal Health?
Our team is ready to help you and your family make better decisions for your oral health. To learn more about keeping smiles free of inflammation and disease, then please schedule a consultation by calling Newhall Dental Arts in Newhall, CA, today at (661) 259-7760.