Make Sure You’re Cleaning Your Gums

All of the facets of your oral health are related. Keeping your teeth bright, your jaw strong, and your gums healthy all starts with the way you care for these things at home. If you focus on just one area, you may be missing something else. Think about how you brush your teeth. Do you focus on the surfaces that face outward? Many people do. These surfaces are the easiest to reach and they’re the surfaces that others see when you smile. However, focusing all of your brushing efforts in one place leaves other surfaces and your gums behind. Make sure you’re cleaning your gums just as thoroughly as your teeth.

Are You Reaching Your Gum Line When You Brush Your Teeth?

The action is commonly known as “brushing your teeth,” but really, you should think of it as, “brushing your mouth,” because you’re caring for all of your oral tissue with this action. Make sure that your brush strokes are reaching the surface of your gum line and brushing away from it. This removes any bacteria that may be building up in these areas. Be sure you’re thoroughly brushing all sides and surfaces of your teeth to prevent bacteria buildup anywhere. You should also be flossing daily to get bacteria out of those hard-to-reach places. If you don’t, your gums can suffer.

Gum Disease Occurs When Your Gums Are Inflamed

If you notice redness, swelling, and pain in your gums, you should seek treatment from your dentist right away. That’s because you likely have gingivitis. Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease that develops when your gums experience prolonged inflammation. This inflammation occurs when bacteria build up beneath the gum line. Bacteria can harm your gums, just like they would do to the surfaces of your teeth. That’s why it’s so important that you focus your brushing efforts on your gum line as well as your teeth.

Your Dentist Can Administer Scaling and Root Planing

If you have developed gingivitis, your dentist will want to treat it with scaling and root planing. This is a procedure during which your dentist will carefully access the area beneath your gum line to remove all of the bacteria that has built up. This is the process known as “scaling.” Afterward, your dentist will polish the roots of your teeth (root planing) so that the roots can easily reconnect to your jawbone. If you don’t receive treatment like scaling and root planing for your gum disease, it can eventually become periodontitis, an irreversible condition that you will have to manage for life.

Greenhaven Family Dental Provides Deep Cleaning for Inflamed Gums

Making regular dentist appointments also helps you avoid gum disease. If you are experiencing problems, you can receive scaling and root planing treatment at Greenhaven Family Dental. Dr. Roberts will walk you through the procedure and help you understand what you can do to prevent further infection. Schedule an appointment for care at Greenhaven Family Dental in Baxter, MN by calling 218-454-0523.