Teeth and gums require constant care to stay healthy. Unfortunately, these are often the most neglected parts of the body. Neglecting your teeth and gums can lead to a host of painful and often preventable oral health problems.
Tooth Problems
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you should brush your teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. The ADA also suggests flossing daily to clean the areas between your teeth where toothbrushes often miss. Infrequent brushing and flossing allows a substance called plaque to accumulate on the teeth. Plaque attacks and weakens tooth enamel, causing tooth decay. If not removed, plaque will eventually harden into tartar, which does not come off with regular brushing. Infrequent brushing can also cause the formation of painful tooth cavities.
Tooth Treatments
Mild accumulations of plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing. However, tartar buildup can only be removed by a dentist. Dentists use specialized instruments to scrape tartar off of your teeth. If your tooth has a cavity, the dentist will use a filling to plug the existing hole and help prevent further decay in that area. If your teeth have excessively large cavities, you may need a root canal or a tooth extraction.
Gum Problems
Plaque accumulations on your gums can cause gum disease. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that causes your gums to swell and bleed. The more severe form of gum disease is called periodontitis, where plaque accumulates below your gum line. Here, the bacteria found in plaque release toxins that cause the bone and tissues surrounding the teeth to decay. Consequently, the teeth steadily separate from the gums, pockets form in the spaces between them and they become infected. Severe cases of gum disease can results in one or more of your teeth becoming loose.
Gum Treatments
Fortunately, mild forms of gum disease like gingivitis are easily correctable. Simply brushing and flossing more frequently is often enough to stop the spread of symptoms. More advanced cases usually require aggressive treatment. Depending on the extent of the damage, a dentist may recommend a deep-cleansing treatment, flap surgery or bone and tissue grafts. Deep-cleaning treatments involve removing tartar from your gum line and removing bacteria from the rough areas of your tooth. During flap surgery, the dentist will pull back your gums to remove tartar and then secure your gums back into place. Bone and tissue grafts involve replacing damaged gum tissue or bone, or encouraging the growth of new gum tissue or bone.
Prevention
Most people dread going to the dentist. However, oral hygiene is extremely important to your overall health. The best way to deal with teeth and gum problems is to prevent them. Brushing and flossing regularly and using a fluoride mouthwash will help keep your teeth and gums free from dangerous plaque and tartar. Taking good care of your teeth and gums can help spare you from enduring painful dental procedures and may mean fewer trips to the dentist.
