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Panama Dental Center and The Treatment of Gingivitis |
Gingivitis, usually attributed to poor oral hygiene, is a common gum disease, that many don't even know they have. Good oral health habits, such as daily brushing and flossing, can help prevent gingivitis, but you still need to have your teeth cleaned twice a year by the dentists of The Panama Dental Center. Unfortunately gingivitis is usually quite painless, and the only symptom you may notice is a little blood in the basin, when you brush your teeth. But if you look a little closer you’ll probably find swollen, soft, tender or bleeding gums, that are no longer a bright healthy pink and you may detect a little bad breath.
Gingivitis is formed by the interaction of food starches and sugars with the natural bacteria of your mouth. Brushing helps to remove most food residues, but those remaining turn into a substance know as plaque. These remaining compounds harden into small crevices and pockets known as tartar or calculus, where bacteria builds up and begins to irritate the gingiva or gums at the bottom of your teeth. This irritation compromises your gum structure and causes tooth loss.
That’s why it’s important to have your teeth cleaned twice a year at The Panama Dental Center to control plaque and prevent painful tooth loss.
Most people first experience gingivitis during puberty and then in varying degrees throughout their life. Untreated gingivitis will lead to tooth loss and may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke or even giving birth to premature babies. If you observe even the smallest amount of bleeding when you brush your teeth, be sure to contact The Panama Dental Center for a simple and painless examination. Your dentist will look for plaque and tartar buildup and will check for easy bleeding by gently probing your gums. It’s possible, but unlikely, that your gingivitis might have other medical causes so you may be referred to another physician for consultation.
Gingivitis treatment usually begins with a comprehensive professional cleaning of your teeth. This includes a one time rocess called scaling, that removes most plaque and tartar. This procedure may be somewhat uncomfortable, but is a necessary treatment to prevent future tooth loss and promote good oral hygiene. Your dentist may also recommend using an antiseptic mouth wash, an electric toothbrush, or various other between the teeth cleaning devices, that help clear away
bacteria and plaque. A few weeks after your Panama Dental Center visit there’ll be no more blood in the basin and your gums will be healthy, pink and firm.
The only way to prevent gingivitis is to see a Panama Dental Center hygienist twice a year for a mild and painless abrasive polishing of the teeth that removes any built up residue. But remember no matter what television tells you, you can’t just rely on tartar control toothpaste for the rest. Plaque can only be controlled if you commit to your own dental hygiene program for the rest of your life. That means brushing once in the morning and once before bed or better yet after every meal or snack. You’ll also need to floss daily or use some other between the tooth cleaning measure to loosen and clean away food residues and bacteria to insure healthy gums and dental structure.
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