Keeping your teeth healthy starts with good periodontal care. It is impossible to have healthy teeth without healthy gums. Caring for your gums ensures that your smile looks radiant. If you have noticed redness or swelling in your gums, visit Ricci Orthodontics in Johns Creek, Georgia, for periodontal care.
What Are Receding Gums?
Gums begin to sink away from the teeth when they become damaged by poor dental hygiene. Gingivitis is one form of periodontal disease. Once the gums begin to recede, it is almost impossible to reverse the process. Receding gums can cause tooth loss, swollen gums, bad breath, and pain around the gumline.
Causes of Receding Gums?
- Along with maintaining your oral care routine and visiting the dentist for your 6-month check-ups, avoiding certain habits will help you improve the health of your gums. The following habits will cause your gums to recede over time:
- Smoking and chewing tobacco cause gum disease. These habits also affect your immune system, lowering your body’s ability to fight infections.
- Eating sugar increases your chances of getting gum disease and tooth decay. Bacteria feed on sugars, causing them to reproduce in the mouth. Avoiding sweet drinks and candy is a great way to prevent gum disease.
- Aggressively brushing your teeth
- Certain health conditions like diabetes and HIV
- Hardened plaque buildup (tartar)
Periodontal Treatment at Ricci Orthodontics
Ricci Orthodontics has provided periodontal and orthodontic treatment services in the Ivy Falls area for almost 20 years. Whether you need routine dental care or need to treat an existing issue, Dr. Ricci’s team is ready to help get your gums looking and feeling their best.
What Is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is an early stage of gum disease. It begins when food particles and bacteria accumulate up around the gum line. This buildup turns into a sticky substance called plaque that gradually works its way into the gumline. Visit your Johns Creek, Georgia dentist for more information.
Early signs of gingivitis include:
- Redness and inflammation
- Tender to the touch
- Swollen gums
- Bleeding during flossing and brushing
When gingivitis worsens into more severe gum disease stages, the infection spreads deeper into the gum and bone. Although gingivitis is a disease of the gums, it also causes tooth decay. A late stage of gum disease is periodontitis. A Georgia periodontist will need to address your condition as soon as possible. In some cases. surgery may be necessary.
Ricci Orthodontics can help reverse the effects of periodontitis. Over time, gum disease can impact your ability to chew. Eventually, it will cause tooth loss and decay. Dr. Ricci also offers the following services at his practice:
- Braces
- Invisalign®
- Retainers
- TruDenta®
- Two-phase orthodontics
What Do Healthy Gums Look Like?
Healthy gums are pink and firm to the touch. Healthy gums will not bleed when brushed or flossed. A pain-free chewing and a healthy smile aren’t the only benefits to having good periodontal care. Poor oral hygiene has been linked to heart disease and diabetes. Having healthy gums improves your overall health!
How to Improve and Maintain The Health of Your Gums
Starting the right routine for oral care will reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar. This will improve your gum health as well. Here are some tips for proper oral care:
- Brush your teeth after every meal
- Floss your twice a day
- Limit your sugar intake
- Get periodontal treatment if needed
- Be diligent about your 6-month cleanings
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Fluoride treatments
- Avoid eating starchy foods
Good periodontal health starts with a healthy lifestyle. If you are concerned about your gum health, contact us today by calling [Direct] to schedule an appointment.
Tags: causes of receding gums, periodontal health, periodontal treatment
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