Gum Health: The fast track to your healthiest smile
The gums surround, support, and protect your teeth. So, when these pink soft tissues are damaged due to disease, your oral health is compromised. Fortunately, Ferrari Dental can help restore your oral health with treatments that promote gum health. Gum disease can also be avoided entirely with regular visits to our office in Montville, New Jersey.
What causes gum disease?
Gum disease is primarily caused by a build-up of plaque. This sticky bacterial film erodes the teeth and also triggers the release of toxins, which break down the gums and other supportive tissues.
How can I keep plaque in check?
Bacteria and starches, and sugars in foods and beverages interact with each other to form destructive plaque. The best thing you can do to “manage” plaque is to brush and floss consistently and well. Brushing and flossing remove the food particles and bacteria that would otherwise build up on the teeth. It’s also good to limit sugary or highly acidic foods.
Why do I need to visit your office on a regular basis?
There are several reasons routine dental checkups help to prevent and stop the progression of gum disease:
- Many patients don’t realize they have gum disease, because it is often asymptomatic (especially early on). Dr. Ferrari examines your gums and can identify problems before they produce symptoms and cause damage.
- By detecting problems and treating them early, extensive or aggressive treatment is avoided.
- During regular checkups, hygienists use special tools and techniques to remove plaque. When plaque builds up on the teeth, it hardens to form tartar. Only professionals have the right dental instruments and skills to remove this stubborn and damaging substance. So, professional cleanings also reduce your risk of developing gum disease (or the risk of it getting worse).
How should my gums look and feel?
Healthy gums are typically pinkish-red. They should be firm against the teeth and not puffy. When you brush or floss, your gums should feel fine – not tender or painful. Healthy gums never bleed. If this doesn’t sound like you, your gums may be telling you something. It’s essential to contact us promptly to have your gums assessed. It bears repeating that you can have gum disease and experience no changes in the appearance of your gums and how they feel.
How do you treat gum disease?
It depends on the “type” of gum disease. For early-stage disease (gingivitis), Dr. Jon Ferrari may recommend prescription mouth rinses or adjustments to your brushing and flossing techniques. A non-surgical “deep cleaning” is also appropriate for earlier forms of gum disease. This service, scaling and root planing, removes bacteria and plaque from under the gums and also prevents these substances from attaching to the root surfaces of the teeth. For more advanced forms of gum disease (periodontitis), procedures may be necessary to reduce the size of the pockets or spaces that form between the teeth and gums and to rebuild damaged tissues.
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss. Keep your smile intact – call (973) 263-2967 to schedule your appointment at Ferrari Dental in Montville, NJ today.
