Periodontal Disease and Importance of Checkups
Good oral hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing are excellent measures to reduce the risk of teeth cavities and gum problems. However, these measures alone are not enough unless they are combined with regular dental checkups. “But why are dental checkups important even when I maintain a good oral hygiene routine?” This is because many problems may develop even when you brush and floss regularly. But your dentist can diagnose them in the early stages and prevent them from happening.
Before we learn how regular dental visits prevent periodontal disease, let us first understand what gum disease is and how it affects our oral and physical health.
What is Periodontal Disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, periodontal disease results from inflammation of gums and the tissues supporting the teeth in their sockets. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, over half of American adults have some form of periodontal disease. At the same time, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 10% of the global adult population suffers from severe periodontal disease.
Even with meticulous oral hygiene, plaque and tartar deposits gradually form on our teeth, ideal breeding places for the disease-causing bacteria. These bacteria break down the sugars in the plaque and tartar deposits and utilize them as food while releasing toxins that damage the gum tissues. Initially, the gums appear swollen and reddish. However, if the situation is not treated timely, the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed. As a result, teeth become mobile and ultimately fall off.
Gum disease not only affects our teeth, but it can also have a severe effect on our general health as well. The bacteria inside the plaque can enter the bloodstream to travel to different body organs and cause serious, even life-threatening diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and hypertension.
How Regular Dental Checkups Prevent Gum Disease?
Whenever you visit your dentist in Santa Clarita for a routine dental check-up, they will perform a detailed clinical examination of your teeth and gums. They will also use specialized equipment to detect dental problems that are not visible to the naked eye. If they find early signs of underlying gum inflammation, they will perform professional teeth cleaning to remove the plaque and tartar deposits using an ultrasonic scaler. After plaque removal, your dentist in Santa Clarita will then polish your teeth to prevent chances of reinfection. In this way, regular checkups save you from dental complications caused by periodontal disease.
Regular dental checkups are your best defense against all dental problems and allow you to prevent issues that would otherwise require substantial time and money investment for treatment. If you live in Santa Clarita and you’re looking for the best dentist in town, then Healthy Smiles Dental should be your first choice. So, book your appointment with our dentist, Dr. Aznavour, by calling at (661) 260-1220 and let us take care of all your dental worries.