Many people think about their teeth when they think about their smiles and it’s true that healthy teeth are an important aspect of a beautiful smile. As well as your teeth, Harley Street Dental Clinic knows that your gums are just as important when it comes to maintaining a healthy and attractive smile for many years.
Unfortunately, sometimes gums are often overlooked. So, what do you need to do to keep the gums healthy? Much like caring for the teeth, regular preventative care from your dentist in Harley Street is necessary to maintain healthy gums. From brushing and flossing, to routine check-ups, make sure you’re taking great care of your entire smile by ensuring your gums stay healthy; as gums help keep the teeth stable within the jaw and when they recede it makes it easier to lose your teeth.
Preventative care
Your daily dental hygiene routine should include both brushing and flossing, which are important not just for the teeth but also the gums. Flossing can help keep the gums healthy by removing bacteria and food particles that brushing alone will leave behind between the teeth.
Many patients worry that if they see bleeding as they floss it is because of the act of flossing. On the contrary, flossing is rarely a cause of bleeding. If you notice your gums bleed easily it is likely due to the first stage of gum disease that causes inflammation of the gums. It is important to schedule a check-up with your dentist in Harley Street if you notice inflamed or irritated gums.
Do I need professional dental cleaning?
Dental hygiene must be combined with regular preventative check-ups and cleanings to keep plaque buildup to a minimum and to help prevent gum disease and other dental problems. During a cleaning, your dentist in Harley Street can remove tartar build-up, which can damage the teeth’s enamel and lead to inflammation of the gums.
However, if gum disease is already present, your dentist in Harley Street may also recommend other treatments, known as scaling or root planning. These procedures will help restore gum health by thoroughly removing the bacteria responsible for causing gum disease.