How much thought do you give to brushing your teeth? If you brush your teeth at least twice a day, that’s great! But the way that you brush your teeth is just as important as the frequency. If you’re not cleaning all of the surfaces of your teeth, nor removing bacteria from your gum line while brushing, you’re doing yourself a disservice. In today’s blog, we want to cover some brushing basics, as well as the impact that brushing can have on the health of your gums. Keeping your gums clean can save you from extra discomfort and treatment.
Proper Brushing Technique and Tools Help You Do a Better Job
It can be easy to absent-mindedly brush your teeth. It becomes another part of the routine. However, you should be conscious of how you’re brushing your teeth to produce meaningful results. Start your brush strokes at your gum line and brush away from it. This removes any buildup of bacteria in this area that could potentially sink beneath the gums and cause infection. You may also want to consider getting an electric toothbrush if you don’t have one already. An electric toothbrush makes it easier to effectively clean difficult-to-reach surfaces. Most models also come with a built-in timer that helps keep you accountable.
Clean Gums Stay Disease-Free, and That’s a Must
Bacteria can build up on and beneath your gums, just like they would on your teeth. When bacteria aggregate around your gum line, they can cause your gums to become inflamed. Inflamed gums are characterized by redness, swelling, and pain. Chronically inflamed gums are a sign of gingivitis. This is the beginning stage of gum disease. If you notice these symptoms on your gums and they don’t go away quickly, you should seek dental care right away. Treating gum disease early is the only way to prevent periodontitis.
Periodontitis Causes the Degradation of Your Jaw Bone
While gingivitis can be painful and inconvenient, it is reversible. Your dentist can administer a deep cleaning to physically remove the bacteria from your teeth below the surface of your gums. Over time, your gums and the connections between your teeth and jaw bone will heal. If you don’t treat your gingivitis, you may develop periodontitis. Periodontitis causes the actual bone in your jaw to degrade. This condition causes a loosening (and eventual loss) of teeth, and it cannot be reversed, only managed.
Seek Treatment for Your Gums at Rodem Tree Dental
Preventive care with proper brushing is in your best interest. If you do develop the signs of gum disease, schedule treatment at Rodem Tree right away. Our team can perform a deep cleaning to remove harmful bacteria before it’s too late. Schedule your appointment now by contacting Rodem Tree Dental in Rowlett, TX at 972-475-2321.
