You only have one set of adult teeth, and they need to last until you are 80, 90, or beyond. The actions you take towards your teeth today will either benefit you or harm you in the future. Of course, good dental care starts with seeing a dentist regularly. You should go in for cleanings and checkups, and any other time you think something might be amiss with your teeth. Education is important when it comes to any aspect of your health, so start reading the articles on this website to educate yourself about dentists and dental care. We promise that when you're 80 and you still have your teeth, you won't regret the time spent.
The Tooth of the Matter: A Dental Blog
How Do Dental Cleanings Reverse Gum Disease?
Sofia Curtis
When people develop gum disease, especially the later stages like periodontitis, the idea of heading to the dentist's office can be nerve-wracking, even if they know that it's the one thing that can help. However, it might surprise you to learn that your gum disease has the potential to be set on the road to reversal just from a humble dental cleaning. Here's what you should know about this.
Dental cleaning does more than just remove the plaque and tartar from between your teeth and on them; it also addresses the health of your gums. It does this in a few ways, so take a look at these.
The first way that it helps is by simply stripping the gums of their external layer of plaque and tartar. Any kind of tartar development triggers inflammation in the gums, which can lead to gum disease over a long period of time. By starting with removing this layer, your dentist can help your gums heal naturally.
Just as important, however, is what's lurking under your gums. If you've ever had some kind of small, hard food get stuck under your gum line, then you're already aware that there's space under there. However, when your gums get infected, this space can get bigger and create a gap that's typically referred to as a gum pocket.
Gum pockets happen due to inflammation. Unfortunately, once they develop, they become a problem, as they accumulate food debris, bacteria, and more plaque and tartar all too well. Accessing this pocket and cleaning it out at home is impossible, so it's up to a dentist to do it. The good news here is that most dentists use ultrasonic scalers that are capable of breaking up this debris and getting it out without inflicting any discomfort or pain.
Once your gum pockets have been cleaned out and any external layers of tartar or plaque have been removed, your body's own immune system can start defeating any remaining bacteria. Once the infection is controlled, the gum disease will gradually subside.
Gum disease is a problem that should never be ignored. It can not only leave your gums painful and bloody but can also increase your risk of losing your teeth. If you think or know that you have gum disease, contact services such as Family Dentistry Of Woodstock for an in-depth cleaning. It may be all you need to get back on the right path.
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