You know that your oral hygiene habits and diet can affect your risk of gum disease, but you might not be aware of the link between your hormones and gingivitis. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself from gum disease.
The American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a checkup and professional teeth cleaning every six months.
However. if you haven’t been keeping up with your professional teeth cleanings as often as you should, you’re not alone. Many Americans skip routine dental care for many reasons, from cost and lack of dental insurance to busy schedules and professional and personal obligations. Whether your last dental appointment was six months or six years ago, a professional teeth cleaning is the first step in getting your oral health back on track.
At Scott Young, DDS, located in The Woodlands, Texas, our dentists provide general and cosmetic dentistry services for all of your oral health needs.
Good oral hygiene and a healthy diet and lifestyle are the basis for maintaining healthy teeth and gums and a beautiful smile. However, brushing and flossing alone will only go so far in protecting your teeth from the bacteria and plaque buildup that leads to cavities and gum disease.
A professional teeth cleaning is designed to go much deeper than a toothbrush and dental floss, removing bacteria and plaque buildup between your teeth and beneath the gum line.
A professional cleaning also helps our team identify and treat problems that may not be visible to the naked eye. In addition to cavities, poor oral hygiene and lack of regular dental care can affect your gums, causing common problems like gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease.
Gingivitis causes gum inflammation and bleeding when you brush and floss. In most cases, a simple teeth cleaning and continued oral hygiene is enough to reverse symptoms of gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress and cause pockets to form between your teeth and gums, which lead to permanent damage to your gums and the connective tissue that supports your teeth.
If a basic cleaning isn’t enough, our team may recommend a periodontal therapy known as scaling and root planing (a deep clean).
Depending on your current situation and oral health, our team will make personalized recommendations for the best general and cosmetic dentistry options to meet your needs. Just like with your general health, the more you invest in preventive dental care like professional teeth cleanings, the less likely you are to develop common problems like cavities and gum disease.
A professional teeth cleaning can jumpstart your oral health routine, especially if you haven’t been to the dentist for a while. For more information, contact Scott Young, DDS, today or request an appointment online at our office in The Woodlands, Texas.
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