Here at All About Teeth we urge all our Townsville patients to come in for regular dental check-ups so that we can keep your mouth clean and healthy. Self-diagnosis when it comes to oral health concerns can be very difficult and unless you are in pain you won’t even be able to notice most of the issues. The only way to make sure that your smile and your oral hygiene are at their best is to come to us so that we can do a professional check-up and clean and to screen you for any other concerns. Using regular dental check-ups, we can focus our energy on helping you to take care of and maintain your beautiful smile. While we do offer a comprehensive range of dental care that includes dental implants, tech whitening, orthodontics and crowns and bridges, the most effective method of giving you the smile you deserve is to assess, treat and in some cases prevent these problems before they even occur. One of the most important facets of preventative dentistry is educating you on the finer points of what makes for good oral hygiene and that is what we try to do here. Gum disease is the biggest contributor to a deterioration of oral health and if we can detect it early enough, we can get rid of it completely or at least manage it if it has become too advanced.

What Is gum disease?

When tartar is allowed to go on unchecked, there are all sorts of bacteria that can build up inside it and these bacteria can cause the production of certain toxins that irritate and inflame your gums. Not only this, but they can also begin to negatively affect the integrity of your bones and the structures that are supporting your teeth. Gum disease in its latter stages is known as gingivitis and is also the biggest cause of tooth loss in adult patients. Once your tooth is lost the bones in your jaw can begin to dissolve and thus jeopardise your ability to receive restorative dentistry treatments like dental implants. Treating gum disease in its early stages is the most effective way of battling back against its effects but if left untreated, the damage may become irreversible and this could lead to a whole host of other dental problems that are far more difficult and expensive to rectify. This is another reason why regular dental check-ups are so important. What many patients don’t know is that aside from wreaking havoc with your dental health, gum disease can also have a significant effect on the rest of your body.

How do I prevent gum disease?

Your gums are the supporting cast to your teeth, but they are just as important when considering oral health and the benefits of regular dental check-ups are the best way in which we can preserve and improve your situation. Brushing your teeth, a minimum of twice a day and flossing after meals are, of course, an integral part of keeping your mouth clean but problems can arise even you are very diligent with regards to your own hygiene. It is almost impossible to clean every single part of your smile correctly and when you miss these smaller sections plaque can begin to thrive and encourage the formation of tartar on your teeth. Once the plaque reaches the stage known as tartar, it can no longer be removed by brushing and flossing and you will need to come in to have a professional clean in order to get rid of it. This is why regular dental check-ups are so important for not only your oral health but your general health as well. Diet is also another way of ensuring that you don’t suffer from the effects of gum disease, but it should be done in conjunction with coming in for professional check-ups and cleaning sessions. Any sweet, sticky or soft foods that contain loads of sugars are obviously more likely to cause your teeth problems and cutting these out of your diet can go a long way to preventing gum disease. To make an appointment with your local Townsville dentist, or to find out more about our dental check-ups and professional cleaning services, please contact us today.