What Can Happen If You Miss Periodontal Checks and Care at a Dental Checkup

Being diligent about periodontal care is an important part of your overall wellness. If you focus on daily steps and good oral hygiene, you can avoid serious problems. You should visit the dentist at least every six months to check your gums and identify any problems. Putting off or ignoring these appointments can have drastic consequences. You should be aware of what can happen if you are lax about your gum health.

Daily responsibilities for periodontal health

Certain everyday habits can reduce a person’s risk of developing problems with their gums. Perhaps the most important activity is flossing. This should occur once a day using a quality dental floss. The individual should weave the floss in between each tooth, doing so gently while dislodging food particles and other debris. These efforts will slow down the formation of bacteria on the gums.

Brushing not only prevents cavities but can promote healthy gums too. Brushing twice a day will reduce the chances of the person having plaque and tartar on their teeth. It can also eliminate bacteria, which would otherwise attack the gum tissue. Using a mouthwash every day can also kill disease-causing bacteria.

Missing educational opportunities

Neglecting to floss is not the only way in which a person can have poor periodontal health. Some people simply do not know how to floss effectively. Flossing too hard can have ill effects on the gums. Also, some people do not spend enough time flossing or may rush through it and miss some of the teeth. Dental checkups are opportunities for the dentist to teach patients how to floss correctly. Putting off dental appointments can cause a person not to receive such meaningful teaching opportunities.

Regular diagnoses

Much of what happens at a dental appointment focuses on cleaning and preventive measures. But a visit to the dentist’s office can also identify periodontal conditions and other concerns. Sometimes, a patient may detect symptoms of gum disease on their own. Some of these include inflammation, bleeding, and tenderness. But in other cases, the patient may not realize there are any problems. The dentist may see signs such as receding gums or pockets of bacteria.

Progressing disease

Dental visits can get a patient the right treatment for periodontal disease. Treatments include a deep cleaning of the gums and teeth as well as removing excess gum tissue. These interventions can slow the progress of gum disease. Missing dental appointments can cause the disease to spread and become more severe. Bacteria can invade the gums and destroy the tissue. Tooth loss and bone loss can eventually follow if the person does not have the right treatment.

Let your dentist be a part of your gum health

If you are not regularly seeing your dentist, make the necessary changes to start. Dental checkups can help keep you on top of good periodontal health. You can also avoid serious consequences that can affect other aspects of your wellness. Call the dentist today and make an appointment so that you can have healthier gums.

Request an appointment here: https://www.mysaratogadentist.com or call My Saratoga Dentist PLLC at (518) 675-3094 for an appointment in our Saratoga Springs office.

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