You’ve got a dental cleaning coming up, so you figure you should do something you haven’t done in a while. You’re going to floss between your teeth.

You hating flossing, but you know that you’re supposed to do it every day. It’s just that, well, you don’t.

As you’re flossing, you feel a little soreness. You can’t help noticing that there is blood when you spit into the sink. That’s not a big deal, right?

The truth is, bleeding is a symptom of gingivitis, which is the early stage of gum disease. It’s also a good reason to visit Newingham Dental Center. You can find periodontal treatment and preventive care at our Birmingham, MI dentist office.

But we can only help if you come to see us. Call 248-972-8720 today to schedule an appointment if you haven’t already.

Learn To Maintain Healthy Gums

Before we discuss gum disease treatments options, let’s take a moment to discuss healthy gums. They should appear pink in color, and they should feel firm to the touch.

They should not bleed, whether you are brushing or flossing. If they are bleeding, that’s often a sign that you aren’t flossing as often or as well as you should.

So, what can you do to keep your gums healthy? It’s the same thing you should do for your oral health generally. Eat a balanced diet, and have a good and consistent oral hygiene routine.

As a friendly reminder, the American Dental Association recommends brushing and flossing daily. To be more specific, you should brush twice a day for two minutes each time, making sure to clean your teeth on all sides.

You should floss once per day, although surveys show that less than half of Americans actually do so. Part of the reason is that many people do not like using dental floss. If you are one of them, consider a different kind of interdental cleaner.

Many people find flossers (which have short handles with a strand of floss at one end) easier and more comfortable to use. Other people prefer water flossers, which use a stream of water to clean between teeth.

Your routine also should include regular dental checkups. This gives dental professionals an opportunity to remove plaque and tartar (which can lead to gum infections) or to identify periodontal problems early (so your treatments are easier and more effective).

Don’t Wait To Deal With Periodontal Disease

If you are showing symptoms of gum disease, it’s always better to do something about it as soon as you are able.

Through scaling and root planing, we can remove tartar buildup on the roots of your teeth. This process also creates a smooth surface, which is bad for bacteria but good for helping your gum tissue reattach to your tooth.

CariFree rinses and antibiotics can help clear out the bacteria that caused your infection. This also reduces your risk of having it return. In more serious cases, we may refer you to a specialist for treatment, but this is not necessary for many situations.

Take Care Of Your Gums To Care For Your Smile

While gum disease is a problem on its own, it also can contribute to other issues, including tooth loss, complications of diabetes, and an increased risk of heart attacks.

The best way to deal with gum problems is to take steps to prevent them. That should include regular visits to Newingham Dental Center. To request an appointment at our office, call 248-972-8720 or contact us online.