Your approach to brushing and flossing will certainly affect your ability to prevent problems with gingivitis. On a daily basis, you should take care to clean at the base of your teeth in order to remove the bacteria that can infect your periodontal tissues. Doing so consistently can be more important than you realize. When gum disease becomes sufficiently serious, it can be difficult to manage, and it can lead to problems with tooth loss and your general health over time! Fortunately, you are not the only person who can protect these tissues from harmful bacteria. At our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office, your gums will be evaluated as part of your routine dental exam. If there is evidence of gingivitis, we can recommend an ultrasonic scaling to fight the bacteria causing problems for you.
Why Your Periodontal Health Matters
You can have more trouble with gum disease than you might expect. Gingivitis is the first stage of an infection. This problem can cause symptoms that you notice, like bad breath, sensitivity to bleeding, and even swelling of the tissues. If gingivitis is not treated, the infection can grow worse. At this point, it becomes more difficult to fight problems with your gums. You also have to worry about the destruction of tissues that hold teeth in place, and face the threat of periodontal bacteria moving to different parts of your body and affecting your health!
When Is It A Good Idea To Have An Ultrasonic Scaling
In the course of a typical checkup, you will receive a cleaning that removes plaque, tartar and food debris on your teeth. While this is a thorough service, it only targets the area above your gum line. When an ultrasonic scaling is performed, the goal is to deal with bacteria beneath your gums which are responsible for gingivitis. This is more involved than the usual cleaning, and it tends to areas of your teeth that are naturally more sensitive than the portions above your gums. The ultrasonic scaling tool uses sound waves to help break apart debris in a more comfortable way.
Avoid Future Bouts Of Gingivitis With Smart Preventive Care
Brushing and flossing thoroughly will help you with more than just preventing cavities that require restorative dental work. You can also do your part to remove plaque buildup before bacteria are able to move beneath your gums. To do this, take your time when brushing, spending at least two minutes thoroughly working over every part of every tooth. Remember that you need to floss regularly if you want to consistently clean the spaces between your teeth, and that a good flossing routine will see you move the string vertically to enjoy a full cleaning.
Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist Offers Support For Your Gums
If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of gingivitis, Dr. Browne can recommend care in the form of an ultrasonic scaling. To find out more, please contact our Prairie Village, KS dental office today at 913-901-8585.