Good oral hygiene isn’t just for a pretty smile; it is also a core component of overall health. Among the many means of ensuring a healthy mouth, a dental clean-up plays one of the most important roles in preventing invasive gum disease, which tends to be among the most common yet preventable oral diseases worldwide. This article will shed light on the need for dental cleaning and prevention modalities for gum disease, specifically focusing on how regular cleaning will prevent damage to the gums and teeth for many years to come.

What is Gum Disease?

Gum disease also known as periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that affects the gums and can progress and damage the bone structures of the teeth. There are two major types of gum disease:

• Gingivitis: This is the first stage of gum disease and it is relatively mild. Its symptoms include inflammation, redness, and swelling of the gum which can lead to gum bleeding when brushing or using dental floss. Mouthwashing, flossing twice a day, and going for annual dental check-ups are important as they help in the recovery from gingivitis.
• Periodontitis: Did you know that around 30% of people do not practice and maintain proper oral hygiene? Well, for them, there is a risk of the disease progressing to periodontitis which is a more advanced stage of gum disease. Periodontitis could lead to the loss of gum and bone structure which could mean the patient could lose a few or even all teeth. There is no cure for periodontitis, however, it can be managed with treatment and regular dental cleanings. In extreme cases where cleanings fail to work, surgical treatment can work.

The Role of Dental Cleanings in Preventing Gum Disease

Prophylaxis, sometimes referred to as dental cleaning work, plays an important role in preventing gum disease. Such diseases are inflammation as a result of plaque, tartar, and other bacterial infections. The cleaning work in a dental setting involves a number of important procedures which each looks into some area of oral health.

Getting Rid of Plaque and Tartar

This is the first step of the three-step teeth cleaning process. Plaque is a film that comprises bacteria and is formed onto the teeth and gum after food or beverage consumption. Plaque is removed naturally through brushing and flossing, but if not thoroughly cleaned, plaque builds up on uncovered areas and hardens into tartar which only a dental expert can remove with specially designed equipment.

Gum disease is mainly caused by tartar. Bacteria can easily thrive where plaque and tartar build-up at the gum line. The bacteria irritate the gum tissue, triggering inflammation that often results in gingivitis. If tartar remains there for a longer duration and is not scrubbed, it leads to periodontitis, which involves inflammation of deeper tissues and the bone-supporting teeth.

Bacterial Control

Even the most effective oral hygiene routine at home can still fail as there are areas that are difficult to clean, such as below the gum line and in the spaces between the teeth. These areas left uncleaned harbor bacteria which leads to inflammation as well as gum disease progression. So, it’s during the cleaning session that your family dentist  uses specially designed instruments to clean below the gum line. This is done to eliminate bacteria in that area, thereby preventing the establishment of bacteria-laden pockets between the gums and teeth.

Early Detection of Gum Disease

Apart from the primary role of cleaning, dental cleanings also serve the important purpose of identifying gum problems at their earliest stages. Your family dentist in Gilbert, AZ will examine your gums during the cleaning procedures to assess their inflammation, presence of bleeding, and recession. Furthermore, they will check for any pockets that form around your teeth, with the depth of the pockets serving as an important indicator of the extent of the gum disease.

The Benefits of Regular Dental Cleanings

In order to maintain optimum oral hygiene and avoid any sort of gum disease, routine dental cleanings are necessary. Below are a few reasons why.

As mentioned earlier, the key reason for performing professional teeth cleaning is to avoid periodontal disease. Teeth cleaning helps to prevent the formation of plaque and tartar so that it does not affect the gums and cause any form of diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis.

Improved Overall Health

According to the dentists and experts at Mayo Clinic, gum disease is associated with some of the most serious conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and respiratory infections. Bacteria from the inflamed gums can migrate to the rest of the body via blood circulation. Regular cleanings work to prevent gum disease which in turn lowers the risk of these diseases.

Enhanced Cosmetic Appearance

Apart from giving you a beautiful smile, professional cleanings also help in the removal of plaque, tartar, and surface stains of your teeth to make them look bright and healthy. Furthermore, since there are fewer cavities to worry about, there will be little to no concern over the appearance of the teeth as well as their functioning.

Fresh Breath

Persistent bad breath, or halitosis, is often due to bacteria in plaque and tartar that release sulfur compounds that leave an unpleasant odor. Removing these sources of bacteria with regular dental cleanings can result in fresher breath as well as better oral hygiene.

Cost-Effective Preventative Care

Although, indeed, dental cleanings are not free, they are much cheaper than the costs that you will incur once you progress to the advanced stages of gum disease. These include scaling and root planing, periodontal surgery, and even tooth replacement. Investing in regular cleaning allows you to save money as serious dental issues will be avoided.

Final remarks

Adding cleaning habits into your oral care routine is key to improving oral health and preventing other diseases. So don’t hesitate, to go ahead and reach out to your dentist today for your next cleaning and have healthy gums for the rest of your life.

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