When it comes to maintaining your smile, home brushing and flossing are only the start. Although oral home hygiene routines are important, professional dental cleanings and exams in Fairview provide the care needed to prevent gum disease. Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is an infectious disease that can start insidiously and become a major oral health issue if left unchecked.
Regular cleanings do more than your toothbrush can. They eliminate tenacious plaque and tartar that irritate your gums. But how do cleanings specifically prevent gum disease? Let’s break it down.
What Is Gum Disease, And Why Should You Care?
Gum disease begins with gingivitis, a slight gum inflammation due to plaque buildup. Unless treated early, it can advance to periodontitis, a worse form that destroys the soft tissue and bone surrounding your teeth. Red, sore, or bleeding gums don’t necessarily mean anything, but these are signs you shouldn’t ignore.
The better news is that gum disease is preventable in large part, and that’s where the frequent dental cleanings come in.
How Professional Cleanings Prevent Gum Disease?
Regular cleanings remove hardened plaque (tartar) that can’t be eliminated through regular brushing. This tartar can also build up along the gum line and hold bacteria that cause infection and inflammation.
During a Professional teeth cleaning, your hygienist uses specialized tools to clean your teeth both above and below the gum line, lowering the possibility of gum inflammation and infection. These visits also enable your dental team to catch early on the signs of gum disease and provide advice for enhancing your in-house oral care routine.
The Importance of Periodontal Maintenance
For individuals already diagnosed with gum disease, cleanings may involve more than just routine plaque removal. Periodontal maintenance includes deep cleaning methods like scaling and root planing, which clean beneath the gum line and smooth the tooth roots to discourage further bacterial buildup.
This type of maintenance is essential for managing the condition and preventing it from worsening. Think of it as a treatment plan rather than just a cleaning, one that plays a vital role in preserving your oral health long-term.
Why Regular Dental Visits Matter?
Gum disease doesn’t always cause pain in its early stages, so many people don’t realize they have it. That’s why it’s so important to visit a dentist near you once every six months, or however frequently they recommend. These checkups allow a chance for close examinations and prevention before heavy-duty or financial issues become involved.
Cleanings aside, exams offer your dentist a chance to inspect the health of your gums, search for pocket infection, and notice anything else that may affect your smile.
When Gum Disease Requires More Than A Cleaning
Even with preventative cleanings that are so effective, aggressive periodontal disease sometimes needs more gum disease treatment. Deep cleaning, antibiotic therapy, or surgery in extreme cases are all possibilities. But no matter what, the aim is always, always the same: to kill infection and allow your gums to heal.
The sooner you recognize signs of gum disease, the better your chances are at keeping it under control with non-surgical treatments. That is why regular dental cleanings are not only a good thing to do, but a necessity for gum health.
Fight Gum Disease Before It Starts – Visit Fairview Dental Clinic Now!
Healthy gums create a healthy smile. Prevent issues from arising; book your future cleaning with Fairview Dental Clinic and get a handle on gum disease.
