A healthy, beautiful smile starts with proactive measures to prevent gum disease. At Sun Smile Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing patient-centered care that educates our Port Charlotte patients on how to keep their smiles bright and healthy. One crucial aspect we emphasize is how to prevent gum disease from destroying your smile.
While gum disease is a common condition, preventing gum disease is possible with the right steps and routine. Gum disease is a progressive condition that affects the soft tissues surrounding your teeth. This means that it can continue to get worse without treatment. Typically, gum disease starts as plaque builds up on your teeth and underneath your gum line.
Over time, this can lead to inflammation and potential damage to the gums. Gum disease prevention is one of the general dentistry services we provide patients in Port Charlotte, Flordia.
Our Approach to Preventing Gum Disease
We are committed to helping you maintain optimal oral health and a radiant smile. As a result, we approach gum disease prevention through education and customized treatment.
Regular Check-ups and Cleanings: You should schedule routine dental check-ups and cleanings. This allows us to properly remove plaque and tartar. Furthermore, it gives us the opportunity to detect gum disease in its early stages through a comprehensive exam.
Patient Education: We believe in empowering our patients with knowledge. Our team will educate you on proper oral hygiene practices. This includes effective brushing and flossing techniques as well as the early symptoms of gum disease.
Personalized Treatment Plans: Every smile is unique, and so is every patient. We create personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific dental needs. This ensures the most effective preventative measures.
The Impact on Your Smile
Preventing gum disease is not just about maintaining good oral health. It is also about preserving the beauty of your smile. As the disease progresses, your gums will undergo physical changes. Furthermore, it can affect the look and placement of your teeth. It is crucial to prevent this damage before it starts.
Gum Recession: Advanced gum disease can cause the gums to recede. As a result, this can expose the roots of your teeth. Of course, this can affect your smile, making your teeth look longer. However, it can also make your teeth more sensitive.
Tooth Mobility: As gum disease progresses, it can compromise the supporting structures of your teeth. This can cause your teeth to loosen and shift. Loose teeth can impact your ability to bite and chew properly. Furthermore, you have an increased chance of losing your teeth.
Bad Breath: One of the common symptoms of gum disease is persistent bad breath. Unfortunately, this can be socially distressing and impact your confidence.
Periodontal Disease and Your Health
In recent years, we have found a connection between gum health and chronic health diseases. Most people don’t know that the bacteria in your mouth can penetrate into the bloodstream. We now know that some types of periodontal bacteria (or bacteria often found in the mouth) can cause and worsen conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, alzheimer’s, dementia, pre-eclampsia, low birth weights, preterm birth, certain types of cancer, and problems with the gut. With this in mind, it is important that we adequately treat gum disease to help not only with your gum health, but also your health as a whole.