Good oral health is something that we should all be striving for. Not only does it benefit our overall health, but it also makes us feel better about ourselves and our appearance.
If you’re unsure how to improve your dental hygiene or are looking for simple ways, this article is for you. But first, let’s look at some of the many reasons you should take care of your gums.
What Is the Role of Our Gums?
Our gums are essential to our mouth, so taking care of them and keeping them healthy is important. They help us bite, chew, and swallow food by supporting our teeth and holding them in place.
When we brush and floss our teeth, we remove plaque from our gums—the sticky film that forms on the teeth after we eat or drink. If this plaque isn’t removed regularly, it can harden into tartar (also known as calculus), which can cause pain or infection if not treated.
3 Stages of Gum Disease
There are three stages of gum disease: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced gum disease.
- Gingivitis: Causes inflammation of the gums (gingivae), which makes them red and swollen. This can occur if you don’t brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste or floss regularly. Inflammation happens when plaque builds up on your teeth which causes bacteria to grow in your mouth. The bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause an infection that spreads throughout the body.
- Periodontitis – Advanced gum disease is when gums recede from your teeth and form deep pockets around them. It’s also called periodontitis, which means inflammation of the gums. Advanced gum disease causes bone loss around your teeth, which can lead to tooth loss. Bacteria cause gum disease in plaque that builds up on your teeth and gums. Poor oral hygiene can also cause it, as well as smoking, stress, and genetics.
- Advanced Gum Disease: um disease causes bone loss around your teeth, which can lead to tooth loss. Bacteria cause gum disease in plaque that builds up on your teeth and gums. Poor oral hygiene can also cause it, as well as smoking, stress, and genetics.
How Vital is Gum Prevention?
Gums are your body’s first line of defense against infection, so taking care of them is important.
Here are some benefits of taking care of your gums:
1. Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Gum disease can be a contributing factor to heart disease, and regular checkups at the dentist can help identify potential problems.
2. Improve Your Oral Health
Gum disease can lead to more serious conditions like tooth decay, requiring costly treatment. Regular visits to the dentist will help monitor your oral health and catch problems early on.
3. Avoid Tooth Loss
Untreated gum disease can lead to tooth loss, an expensive condition requiring implants or dentures to fix it. Early detection and treatment will help prevent this condition from occurring in the first place.
4. Save Money on Dental Costs
Regular dental checkups will help you monitor any potential problems before they become major issues that require expensive treatment later down the road!
5. Helps You Avoid Dental Expenses
Dental care costs can increase quickly, especially if you don’t care for your teeth. A visit to the dentist for a cleaning and exam or other services will cost money, but it’s much less than if you wait until a problem requires treatment.
Conclusion
It helps to have good dental hygiene, but it’s not always easy to make the time to visit your dentist. If you can’t get in for an appointment immediately, these tips are a good way to prepare for your next trip! It pays to have a clean mouth!
If you have any questions about dental health or want to schedule an appointment, contact us today. Chestnut Hill Dental, your trusted Chestnut Hill dentist, can help you. We offer a wide range of services, including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, gum disease treatment, and prevention.
