Your daily dental hygiene is central in protecting yourself from gum disease. Brush thoroughly at least twice a day and floss every day. This removes food particles, bacteria and bacterial debris from all four sides of each tooth.
Equally important are regular professional cleanings. Even faithful daily hygiene does not remove 100 percent of bacteria and their excretions. Plaque will build up here and there and harden into tartar. Tartar cannot be brushed or flossed away but must be removed by a dental hygienist’s special instruments.
Regular Dental Cleanings Could Save Your Life!
Teeth are connected to the body’s blood circulation, with veins and arteries entering them from the jawbone. When the gums bleed and teeth contain decay, bacteria can easily enter the bloodstream and travel elsewhere in the body. Not many people realize this.
Recent research has studied what health effects this can have and discovered that heart disease, diabetes, pancreatic cancer, and low weight births are directly connected with gum disease.
How Gum Disease Develops
Tartar on the gums will cause them to bleed when you brush. This is the beginning of gum disease – gingivitis. The longer nothing is done, the more tartar can build up and create tiny crevices for more bacteria to multiply and thrive. Gradually the gums pull away from each tooth, creating small pockets around each one where more bacteria can live.
Inaction allows this series of developments to spiral into full-fledged gum disease – periodontitis. It is a vicious cycle, each step making way for the next one. Teeth will loosen, decay invades tooth interiors, infection spreads into the gums and then the jawbone.
Once it is established, this cycle is difficult to stop.
What Can I Do to Prevent Gum Disease and Its Complications?
Gum disease involves chronic inflammation and it can spread beyond the mouth. Studies have shown connections between gum disease and serious health problems. Regular dental checks and cleanings by a dental professional will help you prevent them.
Our friendly and trained hygienist can give you ultrasonic cleanings which are very effective and fast, and will help you to maintain proper gum health. We also offer laser gum therapy to disinfect the gums and help prevent any further bacterial invasion.
When you come for your professional cleanings at Aesthetic Dental Studio, Dr. Chee will say a friendly hello and give your teeth a check to make sure they are in good health. If anything needs to be done, he will discuss the options with you and you can decide how to proceed.
Please call 403-543-4600 or email our dentistry office in Calgary to learn more about proper periodontal care.
