Regular visits to your dentist don’t just help prevent tooth decay and cavities but are important for maintaining healthy gums. The professionals at Derry Heights Dental in Milton, Ontario, can help you make sure you and your family are taking the best care possible of your teeth and gums.
During a regular check up, our dental professionals check for cavities and inspect your gums using a special tool to measure the space between each tooth and gum. Healthy gums have shallow spaces while people who have gum disease might have deeper spaces around the teeth.
Regular cleaning at home and at the dentist is important for gum health. Plaque is a clear, sticky layer of bacteria that builds up along the gum line. If it isn’t removed, it hardens and becomes tartar and can’t be removed with regular brushing and flossing. When plaque and tartar are allowed to build up on your teeth, they can cause oral disease.
While it’s recommended that you visit your dentist every six months for a complete check up and cleaning, there are lots of things you can do at home between visits.
Between visits to your dentist, it’s important to brush at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride and floss at least once a day. This will help remove plaque from your teeth so it doesn’t have the chance to develop into tartar, which has to be scraped off with a special tool at the dentist. Using a mouth rinse daily can also help keep plaque from forming on your teeth.
Here are some important tips for keeping your gums and mouth healthy between visits to the dentist:
Drink plenty of water and reduce the amount of soda drinks you consume.
Floss daily! Think of flossing as exercise for your gums.
It’s not normal for gums to bleed. Speak to your dentist for ways to improve your gum health if you find your gums bleed when you brush or floss.
At Derry Heights Dental in Milton, Ontario, we’re friendly, professional, and patient-focused. Contact us for help with your oral care. Visit our website or call 905-875-4232 and book an appointment today. You can also see us on YouTube.
