Periodontal (Gum) Care in Lehi, UT

Periodontal care, or gum care, is one of the most important steps we take as part of preventative dental care.

Think of it this way: your gums are like the silent worker that ensures the rest of your mouth is strong and healthy. They are built to hold your teeth strong and in place, which means they need to be taken care of, too.

Basic gum care includes brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash to help remove any food particles or excess plaque around the teeth and gums — but if you don’t brush away the plaque in your mouth, then irritating bacteria will inflame the gums, causing a condition called gingivitis. Neglecting gum care can also lead to periodontal disease.

It’s important to understand good periodontal care by preventing any issues from surfacing.

Practicing Periodontal Care

We know that gum care is a vital part of a healthy mouth. Healthy gums help keep your teeth stable and in place — otherwise, lack of care can lead to gum recession, tooth loss, or periodontal disease.

Luckily, good periodontal care starts at home, and will help kill unwanted germs between teeth and gums. Here are a few things you can do at home to help have healthy gums:

Brush your teeth at least twice a day. By doing so, you’re removing food debris and plaque that is trapped between your teeth and gums.
Floss at least once a day. For those spots your toothbrush can’t reach, bring out your floss container. This will get the debris and plaque wedged along your gumline out of your mouth.
Use mouthwash after you brush your teeth. Mouthwash labels with the ADA Seal of Acceptance have been proven to help reduce plaque and help kill bacteria that cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. However, be sure that you are selecting a mouthwash that’s designed to kill bacteria and help reduce bad breath, gingivitis, and tooth decay. Check out the list of recommended mouthwashes.
Understand your habits and the risks that come with them. Those who smoke, have a poor diet, and drink sugary drinks regularly are at a higher risk of getting periodontal disease among other infections.

All of these steps are considered preventative dental care, which is a fancy term used for working to maintain a healthy lifestyle — or in this case, a healthy mouth. This is something our team at Canyon Crest Dental practices every time we perform an exam.

We perform preventative dental care during routine checkups — this is where we want to catch and address any underlying issues before they become more significant. Also known as a comprehensive periodontal evaluation, we’ll look for things such as how we can prevent cavities, gum disease, enamel loss, and early tooth loss. We’ll also check out your bite, bone structure, and any potential risk factors that we can help you take care of.

In addition to the exam, we offer a wide range of preventative dental services, such as regular cleanings, checkups, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, oral cancer screenings, mouthguards, and more.

However, we believe that one of the most important preventative steps we can take to help ensure a healthy and happy smile is through routine and frequent periodontal care to avoid things like periodontal disease and gingivitis.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

More than 65 million Americans show symptoms of periodontal disease, which is a severe gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone which supports the tooth.

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Bacteria causes periodontal disease by hiding out in the plaque between your teeth, which causes bad breath, red and swollen gums, and loose and sensitive teeth. Treatment involves improvement of dental hygiene, medication — and sometimes surgery, depending on the severity.

The good news is that treating periodontal disease can be prevented at home and treated by a dentist.

At home, floss regularly, brush with a soft brush two to three times daily, and irrigate your gums daily. To soak your gums, consider purchasing a Water Pik or Hydro Floss — these are expensive but effective ways to treat and prevent further disease!

If you are noticing receding gums or excess plaque in your teeth that you can’t quite reach, we at Canyon Crest Dental will give your teeth a deep cleaning where we will remove tartar around the gum line to ensure there’s no place for periodontal disease to develop.

We will also be able to discuss our next steps to ensure a healthy smile, like how to avoid and recognize common gum inflammation like gingivitis.

What Is Gingivitis?

You know the commercials that talk about a little “pink in the sink?” That’s a common symptom of gingivitis, which is the inflammation of the gums caused by a bacterial infection. Other symptoms include redness, receding gums, and excess plaque along the gum line.

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Although this sounds like the beginning of periodontal disease, there’s no need to worry if you take care of inflamed gums right away. The key is to get your gums checked regularly and practice preventative dental care to ensure that your mouth stays healthy.

That’s why it’s essential to see the professionals at Canyon Crest Dental, where we will perform a simple routine checkup to ensure that your mouth is healthy and how we can work towards an even healthier one.

How Canyon Crest Dental Can Help

If you see pink in the sink, then don’t wait any longer — the Canyon Crest team can help.

Whether you are coming for a routine cleaning or emergency care, our team will make time for you and work towards a better and healthy smile.

We provide top-notch dentistry in our comfortable and relaxing office and exam rooms. Here, you can relax with a pillow, watch your favorite Netflix movie, or enjoy a complimentary snack while you wait.

So if you are noticing sore or red gums, allow us to work with you on the best gum care possible — because it’s much better to catch or address an issue before it gets worse.

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