Keeping Your Gums Healthy
Hello, my name's Alaina. I'm a dental hygienist at South Fork Dentistry. We've been getting a lot of questions about how to keep your gums healthy and what healthy gums are. I'm going to clear some of that up for you today.
Alaina, why are healthy gums so important?
Healthy gums are important because they're the foundation for a healthy mouth. Healthy gums also ensure the overall body is healthy.
How can I tell if my gums are healthy or unhealthy?
Healthy gums will appear as nice pink firm tissue. They won't bleed when you brush and floss, and you won't experience any pain. If they're unhealthy, you might notice bleeding, redness, puffiness, and even some pain when brushing and flossing.
What causes unhealthy gums?
Good question. Unhealthy gums can result from a lack of proper dental care. If you're not brushing and flossing or not attending dental visits, and sometimes it can even stem from health conditions like diabetes or heart disease.
Can unhealthy gums be fixed?
Yes, of course. We can treat unhealthy gums with a deep cleaning or even just a professional cleaning, along with some good home care instructions.
What is involved in the process of deep cleaning?
A deep cleaning involves removing the plaque and bacteria that's deep underneath your gums, causing inflammation and redness. We bring all of that bacteria up out of the gums and then kill the bacteria with either an antiseptic rinse or an antibiotic.
Why does it take more than one sitting for a dental cleaning?
Not all dental cleanings require more than one sitting, but deep cleanings are split into two visits because we need to numb your mouth, since it can be slightly uncomfortable. This allows you to have a good half of the mouth to chew with.
Is a deep cleaning painful?
Because we numb you for a deep cleaning, you shouldn't feel anything.
What are the best ways to take care of my gums at home after a deep cleaning?
Good question. The best way to care for your gums after a deep cleaning is to continue brushing and flossing as normal. Brush twice a day and floss at least once a day in the evenings.
At what point is gum grafting necessary?
Gum grafting is necessary when gum recession progresses too far down the root of the tooth, causing sensitivity. The tooth might even become wiggly, and we need to protect the exposed root.
And how can I schedule a dental appointment?
Good question. All you have to do is call the office, and the team up front will assist you.
If you live in or near Purcellville, VA, and are looking for dental care, contact us at (540) 778-9606 to set an appointment. You can also email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!