What a General Dentist Does to Promote Gum Health

There are many ways that a general dentist can promote gum health. Your gums play an important role in supporting your teeth and providing a barrier against harmful bacteria, so it is critical that they remain healthy and strong. Keeping your gums healthy can also help prevent tooth loss and decrease heart attack risk. The plaque and tartar on your gums can also accumulate in your arteries, which can cause a heart attack. Maintaining healthy gums also combats bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease. Let's take a closer look at the importance of gum health and what it means for your overall oral well-being. 

Professional dental cleaning

Never underestimate the value of professional dental cleaning. Your first professional cleaning includes removing all traces of plaque, tartar, and bacteria. This procedure is known as scaling and root planing. Scaling will remove tartar and bacteria from the surfaces of your teeth and beneath your gums. Root planing will remove the bacteria produced by inflammation, smooth the root surfaces, discourage the further buildup of tartar and bacteria, and allow proper healing. Your dentist may use instruments, a laser, or an ultrasonic device to perform the procedure.

Dental restoration (if needed)

Dental restoration refers to getting your teeth back to proper function. Misaligned teeth or dental crowns, bridges, or other dental restorations that fit poorly may irritate your gums and make it harder to remove plaque during daily brushing and flossing. If there are problems with your teeth or dental restorations that contribute to your gum health issues, your dentist may recommend fixing these problems.

Ongoing care

In some distance, you may benefit from ongoing dental care. Gingivitis and other gum health issues usually clear up after a thorough professional cleaning, but you must also implement good oral hygiene habits into your daily routine at home. Your dentist can help you plan an effective at-home dental care program and a schedule of regular professional checkups and cleanings.

If you stay consistent with your oral hygiene at home, you should see your gums return to a healthy pink color within days or weeks. Some good habits to keep in mind are regular flossing, brushing, and the use of mouthwash. Remember to use soft-bristle brushes and ensure that your toothpaste includes fluoride. Ask your dentist about any other hygiene habits you should have that are specific to your dental needs. 

Important discussions

There is an important conversation for you to have with your dentist during your routine visits. It's a good idea to be prepared for this talk so that you know what to consider as well as what questions you may have for him or her.

 Your dentist will ask you questions, such as:

• When did symptoms of your gum health issues start?
• Have your symptoms been occasional or continuous?
• How often do you brush your teeth?
• How often do you floss your teeth?
• How often do you see a dentist?
• What medical conditions do you have?
• What medications, vitamins, and supplements do you take?

There are also some questions that you should be asking your general dentist:

• Do you think gingivitis is the cause of my symptoms?
• Do I need any tests? What kinds of tests?
• Will my insurance cover the treatments you are recommending?
• What are the alternatives to what you're suggesting?
• What can I do to keep my gums and teeth healthy?
• What kind of toothpaste, toothbrush, and dental floss do you recommend?
• Should I use mouthwash?
• Are there any dietary or activity restrictions I need to follow?
• Are there any websites or brochures I can go to for resources?

It's important to have good communication with your dentist so that you are both on the same page regarding your oral health and treatment plans. Be prepared to discuss your oral health in-depth and provide as much feedback as possible. Doing so will ensure that you get the best treatment possible and that your teeth are kept healthy well into the future. 

Where to begin to promote gum health

These are the thing your general dentist can do to help you manage gum health issues. It's important that you visit your dentist twice per year, and that you also let them know about any changes in your oral health in-between visits. Be sure to ask your dentist any questions you may have, such as the ones listed above. This will go a long way in promoting high-quality oral hygiene practices. 

Request an appointment here: https://alexoldtowndental.com or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at (703) 763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Alexandria, VA.